Cyclone Remal Likely to Hit West Bengal, Bangladesh on Sunday
- By Thetripurapost Desk, West Bengal, Dhaka
- May 25, 2024
- 201
The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is now going to turn into a cyclonic storm. According to the Meteorological Department, this deep depression can turn into a cyclonic storm by Saturday evening and can hit the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh on the night of 26 May. Fishermen have been warned not to go to the Bay of Bengal till Monday morning. As a precaution, NDRF teams have been deployed in areas where the effect of the storm can be seen more. The Army and Navy are also on alert. If there is rain in North India including UP, Bihar, Delhi due to the effect of the storm, then people can get some relief from the scorching heat.
The cyclonic storm forming in the Bay of Bengal can hit at a speed of 110-120 kilometers per hour. It can reach a speed of up to 135 kilometers per hour. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of extremely heavy rain in the coastal districts of West Bengal and North Odisha on 26-27 May. Extremely heavy rainfall may occur in some parts of North-East India on 27-28 May. There is a possibility of 1.5 meter high waves in the sea at the time of hitting the storm, due to which low-lying areas of coastal West Bengal and Bangladesh may get submerged. The Meteorological Department has warned fishermen not to go into the sea in the northern part of the Bay of Bengal till the morning of 27 May.
The weather department has issued a red alert for the coastal districts of West Bengal, South and North 24 Parganas, on May 26 and 27. Heavy rain is expected at some places here. The IMD has also issued an orange alert for Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia
and Purba Medinipur districts for May 26 and 27, warning of wind speed reaching 80 to 90 kmph and gusts reaching 100 kmph, along with heavy to very heavy rain at one or two places.
North Odisha coastal districts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Kendrapara will receive heavy rainfall on May 26-27, while Mayurbhanj is likely to receive heavy rainfall on May 27.
Those living near the coast have been advised to prepare as per the weather forecast and remain indoors till May 27. The IMD has also warned of localised flooding, damage to power lines, crops and orchards on May 26 and 27.
The alert issued by the Meteorological Department (IMD) said, 'The depression over east-central Bay of Bengal has moved northeast at a speed of 15 kmph during the last 6 hours. It has turned into a deep depression. It was centered at 5:30 am, about 380 km south-east of Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and 530 km south-south-east of Canning (West Bengal).'
IMD's report has predicted major damage to thatched houses, crops, trees getting uprooted and flooding in low lying areas in the North and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal. At the same time, this severe cyclone can cause heavy damage to power and communication lines.
A day before the cyclone, a meeting was held on Friday under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba to prepare for the cyclone. The Cabinet Secretary assured the West Bengal government that all central agencies are on full alert to deal with this situation and will be available for assistance.
Due to this, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 12
teams, while five additional teams have been kept on standby. Rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard along with ships and aircraft have been kept ready.
The Director General of Shipping is issuing advisories with regular alerts at the ports of Kolkata and Paradip. At the same time, emergency teams have been deployed by the Ministry of Power for immediate restoration of power.
The Cabinet Secretary stressed that all necessary preventive and precautionary measures should be taken by the State Government and Central agencies. The aim should be to keep loss of life to zero and minimise damage to property and infrastructure such as power and telecommunication. Also, in case of damage, essential services should be restored in the shortest possible time.
He said it should be ensured that fishermen at sea are called back and people from vulnerable areas are evacuated in time. He has asked the West Bengal government to review the installation of large hoardings in areas likely to be affected by the cyclone.
BangladeshÂ
Bangladesh Meteorological Department Director Azizur Rahman said that Remal may hit the coast of Bangladesh on Sunday evening.
And due to its effect, there may be heavy to very heavy rain in different parts of the country including the coast. He said, 'We think 'Remal' can be a strong cyclone. It may hit somewhere between Khulna and Patuakhali's Khepupara. The cyclone may spread over a relatively large area.'
Bangladesh University of Engineering (BUET) Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) professor AK Saiful Islam fears that there will be floods during the cyclone. The cyclone can hit a large area along the coast. He thinks that there is a danger of causing more damage.
Saiful Islam said, 'South-west coast of Bangladesh is the possible target of Remal. Storm surges of 5 to 10 feet may occur during the cyclone.
The director of the Meteorological Department Bangladesh said that there is a possibility of a cyclone hitting by 6 pm on Sunday. Due to the low tide at that time, there is less risk of flooding. However, if it hits after 12 o'clock in the night, there is danger of flood. According to the United Nations Organization for Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the impact is likely to be greater in Satkhira district.
It is also feared that Remal may become a severe cyclone. Shamim Ahsan, deputy director of the storm warning center of the Meteorological Department, said that this storm can hit the coast of Khulna and Patuakhali in Khulna and Patuakhali near the Sundarbans of Bangladesh. Its speed can be 120 to 130 km per hour.
He said, "If the speed of wind caused by a cyclone is between 89 and 117 kilometers per hour, then it is called a 'strong cyclone'." Another meteorologist Abul Kalam Mallick said, 'If Remal hits, it could be a strong to very strong cyclone. But there is no danger of a 'supercyclone'. However, the cyclone may spread over a relatively large area, said meteorologists.