Cyclone Remal to hit Bengal coast tonight, IMD issues warning

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday (May 26) that Cyclone Remal would intensifyinto a severe cyclonic storm in the next six hours andwillcross between Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal on Sunday midnight.

In a post on X, the IMD said, "The CS "Remal" over North BoB about 290 km S SE of Sagar Islands (WB)300km S SW of Khepupara(Bangladesh) and 320 km S SE of Canning (WB). To intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in next 06 hours and cross between Bangladesh and adjoining WB coasts around 26 midnight as SCS."

The cyclone would cause rainfalland strong winds in West Bengal,Tripura, andsome other parts ofnortheasternstates.

The affected regions

The regions affected due to Remalare West Bengal, Coastal Bangladesh, Tripura, Odisha, andsomeother parts ofnorth-easternstates. A report by the news agency ANI said that people in these regions havebeen toldto brace for adverse weather conditions starting from Sunday.

SCS Remal over North BoB is about 260km SSW of Khepupara 240km SSE of Sagar Islands. Max wind speed of 90-100 kmph over cyclone centre. To move northwards, intensify further and cross Bangladesh and adj WB coasts by today midnight as SCS with max wind speed of 110-120 kmph . pic.twitter.com/6rkit4cBGB — India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 26, 2024

Fishermen have been advised by the Metnot to venture into the sea in the north Bay of Bengal until Monday morning.

A report by the news agency PTI said that a red alertwas issuedfor the coastal districts of South and North 24 Parganas in West Bengal till Monday as extremely heavyrainis expectedin some areas. The IMDwarned of localised flooding and significant damage to vulnerable structures, power and communication lines, kutcha roads, crops, and orchards in South and North 24 Parganas.

Meanwhile, an orange alert is in place for Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, and Purba Medinipur districts.

In north Odisha,the coastal districts ofBalasore, Bhadrak, and Kendraparawill receive heavy rain tillMonday.

Fully prepared for cyclone: NDRF

An official of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) stationed in South 24Parganas,told ANI thatthe agency wasfully preparedto handle any kind ofdisaster.

"We are fully prepared for the cyclone. If the cyclone hits here, our soldiers are ready to deal with everykind ofdisaster...Our team is well-equipped. Our team is ready for tree falling or flood rescueetc...We are ready to deal with every situation," the official said.

Also watch |Severe cyclone Remal heads for Bengal coast

Authorities in Tripura saidthat theyare closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the IMD for further developments regarding the cyclonic storm.

West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar said on Saturday thatNDRF and other teams werepreparing to evacuate people from low-lying areas to safe shelters and start providing relief if needed.

(With inputs from agencies)