HT Digital,
New Delhi, May 26: Cyclonic Storm “Remal” is advancing northwards over the North Bay of Bengal. As of 0230 hours IST today, it was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 89.4°E, approximately 300 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 290 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), 410 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal), and 320 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal).
The storm, moving at a speed of 6 kmph, is anticipated to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm within the next six hours. Meteorological forecasts indicate that “Remal” will continue its northward path, making landfall near the Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts, between Sagar Island and Khepupara, close to southwest Mongla (Bangladesh) by midnight tonight.
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Impending Threat and Preparations
“Remal” is expected to bring wind speeds of 110-120 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 135 kmph. Authorities in the affected regions are on high alert, preparing for potential impacts including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding. Residents in vulnerable areas are urged to take necessary precautions and stay updated through local authorities.
Detailed Warnings and Precautions
Heavy Rainfall Warnings
West Bengal: Light to moderate rainfall is expected, with heavy to very heavy rainfall in coastal districts and eastern Gangetic West Bengal adjacent to Bangladesh on May 26th and 27th. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 20 cm) is likely on May 26th, with peak rainfall activity from noon of May 26th to noon of May 27th.
Eastern Sub-Himalayan West Bengal: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on May 27th and 28th.
Odisha: Light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall over North Coastal Odisha on May 26th.
Northeastern States: Light to moderate rainfall with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Mizoram, Tripura, and South Manipur on May 26th, extending to Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura on May 27th and 28th. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is anticipated over Assam and Meghalaya on May 27th and 28th, Arunachal Pradesh on May 28th, and Mizoram and Tripura on May 27th.
Wind Warnings
Bay of Bengal:
Gale winds of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph over the central Bay of Bengal until the morning of May 26th, decreasing to 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph until the morning of May 27th.
Gale winds of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph over the North Bay of Bengal, increasing to 85-95 kmph gusting to 105 kmph by early morning, and 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph from noon till midnight of May 26th. Winds will decrease to 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph by the morning of May 27th and 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph by the evening of May 27th.
Along & off Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts:
Squally winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph, increasing to 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from the morning of May 26th, and 100-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph from the evening of May 26th till the early morning of May 27th. Winds will decrease to 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph by the afternoon and 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph by the night of May 27th.
Squally winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph will commence over Howrah, Hoogly, Kolkata, and East Medinipur districts from the evening of May 26th, increasing to 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during the night of May 26th, except East Medinipur where winds may reach 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph.
Along & off Odisha coasts:
Squally winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph until the morning of May 27th.
South Bay of Bengal, Andaman Islands, and Andaman Sea:
Squally winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over the Andaman Islands and North Andaman Sea for the next 12 hours.
Northeastern States:
Squally winds of 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over Mizoram, Tripura, and South Manipur on May 26th and 27th, and 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over South Assam and Meghalaya on May 27th.
Storm Surge Warning
A storm surge of about 1 meter above astronomical tide is expected to inundate low-lying areas of coastal West Bengal, while a surge of 3-4 meters above astronomical tide is likely to inundate coastal areas of Bangladesh around the time of landfall.
Sea Condition Warning
Central and North Bay of Bengal:
Very rough to high sea conditions on May 26th, transitioning to high to very high over the North Bay of Bengal until the morning of May 27th.
Along & off Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts:
Rough to very rough sea conditions, escalating to high to very high from the morning of May 26th until the morning of May 27th.
Along & off North Odisha coast:
Rough to very rough sea conditions until the morning of May 27th.
Along & off Andaman Islands:
Rough to very rough sea conditions for the next 12 hours.
Expected Damage and Advisories
Significant damage is anticipated in South & North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogly, Kolkata, and East Medinipur districts of West Bengal. This includes:
Major damage to thatched houses, huts, and vulnerable structures.
Flying debris from unattached metal sheets.
Breaking of tree branches, uprooting of trees, and severe damage to banana and papaya crops.
Damage to power and communication lines.
Inundation of low-lying areas and localized flooding.
Action Suggested
Total suspension of fishing operations.
Regulation of surface transport and shipping operations.
Coastal hutment dwellers should move to safer places.
People in affected areas should remain indoors and avoid water-logged areas and vulnerable structures.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the South Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea until May 26th, the central Bay of Bengal until May 26th, and the North Bay of Bengal until May 27th. Fishermen already at sea should return to the coast.
The system remains under continuous surveillance, with the next update scheduled for 0530 hours IST today, May 26, 2024.
