Cyclone Remal Updates: Live Tracking, Latest News, Red Alert & Heavy Rainfall Warning Issued For West Bengal
This is the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this pre-monsoon season and will be named Remal, given by Oman, according to a system of naming cyclones in the north Indian Ocean region.
Cyclone Remal Latest: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a cyclone alert on the West Bengal coast on Saturday, and is expected to hit West Bengal on Sunday. IMD also confirmed that this cyclonic storm is being named Cyclone 'Remal'. Continuing to move further northwards, it would intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of May 26 and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara by May 26 midnight with a wind speed of 110-120 gusting to 135 kmph. The weather department has also sounded a red alert predicting extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds along the coastal regions of Bangladesh and West Bengal on Sunday, May 26.
Cyclone Remal Latest: IMD Issues RED alert for WB coast after Remal intensifies into a severe cyclonic storm
In its latest bulletin, IMD stated that the Cyclonic Storm “Remal” (pronounced as “Re-Mal”) over North Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards, with a speed of 6 kmph during the past 6 hours and has intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm. It is very likely to continue to move nearly northwards, intensify further and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara, close to southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh) by midnight of today (May 26 as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph.
WATCH: Cyclone Remal early impact along the West Bengal coast
Cyclone Remal Live Tracker and Route
Below is the Cyclone Remal live tracker map (by windy) which shows the forecast for the next 24 hours.
*Windy provides interactive weather forecasting visualization
Cyclone Remal: Heavy Rainfall alert issued for these states
As per IMD, along with West Bengal, other Northeastern states like Tripura, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur may witness heavy rainfall and strong winds. Tripura's regional meteorological centre also warned against adverse weather conditions starting from May 26. Odisha may also witness a spell of heavy rainfall on May 26.
'Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is likely over coastal districts of West Bengal and eastern districts of Gangetic West Bengal adjacent to Bangladesh on May 26 & 27 with isolated extremely heavy rainfall over these districts on May 26', said IMD in its latest forecast. The peak rainfall activity is likely from noon on May 26 to noon on May 27. Light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy rainfall is likely over North Coastal Odisha on May 26.
It also added that 'Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely over Mizoram, Tripura and South Manipur on May 26 and over, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur & Tripura on May 27 & 28. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is also likely over Assam, and Meghalaya on May 27 & 28, over Arunachal Pradesh on May 28 and over Mizoram & Tripura on May 27'.
IMD has also warned fishermen to not venture into the south Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea till May 27, into the central Bay of Bengal till May 26 and the North Bay of Bengal from May 25 to 27.
ANI shared visuals of changes observed in weather at Mandarmani and Digha area in West Bengal's East Medinipur district ahead of the impending arrival of Cyclone Remal. Visuals from Sundarbans and South 24 Parganas also show wind speed picking up. Heavy rains have also been reported over a wide range of areas in Gosaba and Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas district.
Cyclone Remal Update: Kolkata Airport suspends flight operations
Given the impending Cyclone Remal and heavy rainfall prediction, Kolkata airport has suspended flight operations for 9 hours starting Sunday midnight.
Cyclone Remal Update: Helpline Numbers
In event of the possible destruction because of Cyclone Remal, Kolkata Police has shared the following helpline numbers (9432610428, 9432610429) with residents who can connect during times of distress.
Cyclone Remal Live: IMD shares latest update
Speaking to ANI, IMD scientist Dr Somenath Dutta said that the exact location of Cyclone Remal is 18.2 degrees North and 89.7 degrees. Its impact is first of all heavy rainfall, strong wind and storm surge.
What is Cyclone Remal?
Remal means 'sand' in Arabic. The Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) are responsible for monitoring and prediction of tropical cyclones over their respective regions. They are also responsible for naming the cyclones. In 2020, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) provided a list of 169 cyclone names.
Below is the list of names for tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean provided by IMD
The India Meteorological Department warned of localised flooding and major damage to vulnerable structures, power and communication lines, kutcha roads, crops and orchards in South and North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal.
People in the affected areas have been asked to remain indoors and vacate vulnerable structures.
- with inputs from PTI
