‘Cyclone Remal’ to make landfall tomorrow, will disrupt flights and activities along India’s east cost, IMD issues orange cyclone alert

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclonic Storm “Remal” (pronounced as “Re-Mal”).

As of 1730 IST on 25th May 2024, the storm is positioned over the Northwest and adjoining Northeast & East-central Bay of Bengal, prompting an Orange Message cyclone warning for the West Bengal coast.

Cyclone Remal’s Predicted Path and Intensification

• Current Location: The deep depression lies over the East-central Bay of Bengal near latitude 18.0°N and longitude 89.7°E, approximately 440 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 440 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), and 480 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal).
• Intensification: It is expected to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm by the evening of 25th May and further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm by the morning of 26th May.
• Landfall: Cyclone Remal is likely to cross the Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara around midnight on 26th May as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speeds reaching 110-120 kmph, gusting up to 135 kmph.

Impact on West Bengal and Flight Operations

In anticipation of Cyclone Remal’s impact, flight operations at Kolkata airport will be suspended from 1200 IST on 26th May to 0900 IST on 27th May. This decision is due to the predicted heavy winds and significant rainfall in the region.

In view of Cyclone REMAL's impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, it has been decided to suspend the flight operations from 1200 IST on 26.05.2024 to 0900 IST on 27.05.2024 due to predicted heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall at Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/hnyBRbPW6g

— Kolkata Airport (@aaikolairport) May 25, 2024

Rainfall Warnings

West Bengal:

• Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over coastal districts and eastern Gangetic West Bengal on 26th & 27th May.
• Isolated extremely heavy rainfall on 26th May.
• Similar conditions expected in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal on 27th & 28th May.

Odisha:

• Light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy rainfall likely over North Coastal Odisha on 25th & 26th May.

Northeastern States:

• Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Mizoram, Tripura, and South Manipur on 26th May.
• Heavy to very heavy rainfall over Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur & Tripura on 27th & 28th May.

Andaman Islands:

• Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy rainfall at isolated places over North Andaman Islands on 25th May.

Wind Warnings

Bay of Bengal:

• Squally winds reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph over the central Bay of Bengal, intensifying to 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph by the morning of 26th May.

Bangladesh and West Bengal Coasts:

• Squally winds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, likely from 25th May evening, increasing to 100-120 kmph, gusting to 135 kmph by the evening of 26th May.

Odisha Coast:

• Squally winds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, from 25th May evening to 27th May morning.

Northeastern States:

• Squally winds reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph over Mizoram, Tripura, and South Manipur on 26th & 27th May.

Storm Surge and Sea Conditions

A storm surge of about 1 meter above the astronomical tide is expected to inundate low-lying areas of coastal West Bengal, with a 3-4 meter surge likely over coastal Bangladesh during landfall. Sea conditions will be rough to very rough, escalating to high to very high over the central and north Bay of Bengal from 25th May evening till 27th May morning.

Expected Damage and Precautionary Measures

Damage in West Bengal:

• Major damage to thatched houses and huts.
• Uprooting of trees and damage to power and communication lines.
• Inundation of low-lying areas and localized flooding.
• Damage to crops, roads, and disruption of traffic.

Precautionary Measures:

• Suspension of fishing operations.
• Regulation of surface transport and shipping operations.
• Coastal residents to move to safer places and stay indoors.
• Fishermen are advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea till 27th May.

Cyclone Remal poses a significant threat to the coastal regions of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Residents are urged to follow official advisories and take all necessary precautions to ensure safety during this severe weather event.