Cyclone Remal Highlights: Heavy rains in West Bengal and parts of Bangladesh after landfall

As a precautionary measure against impending severe cyclone 'Remal', the West Bengal government has evacuated over 1.10 lakh people from coastal regions, including the Sundarbans and Sagar Island, to secure shelters, a senior official said on Sunday.

To bolster these efforts, 16 battalions each from the state disaster management and NDRF have been deployed in the coastal areas, the official added.

Landfall process has commenced over coastal areas of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal. It will continue for the next 4 hours: IMD

Cyclone Remal over the North Bay of Bengal is to move northwards about 130 km southeast of Sagar Islands (WB), 140 km southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 140 km southeast of Canning (WB), 160 km southwest of Mongla of Bangladesh and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts by midnight today with a max wind speed of 110-120 kmph: IMD

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim held a meeting with the teams of all boroughs regarding the measures taken to manage the after-effects of the cyclone. 

Governor Bose held an emergency review meeting at the Raj Bhawan regarding the cyclone Remal. Raj Bhavan has set up a task force to assist the public in this hour of need. Raj Bhavan will be open for the public, in case they need safe accommodation and other support, the Governor's house said in its statement. 

The Tripura government has issued a red alert in four districts — South, Dhalai, Khowai, and West — in the wake of severe cyclonic storm 'Remal' which is likely to make landfall between Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts by midnight.

A total of 14 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are deployed in West Bengal to assist in rescue and relief operations considering the landfall of cyclonic storm Remal: NDRF Cyclone Remal is to make landfall today, at midnight between Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts, as per IMD.

Dhaka: Over 800,000 people from vulnerable areas have been evacuated to shelters on Sunday as Bangladesh prepares for severe cyclonic storm 'Remal' forecast to make landfall by midnight with a potential high tidal surge and heavy rainfall in the country's coastal districts of Satkhira and Cox's Bazar.

As a precautionary measure, the authorities at Shalimar railway station tied trains to the tracks using locks and chains to prevent sliding when the cyclone hit the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting to take note of the response and preparedness for the cyclone ahead of the landfall.

The Met Department has issued a heavy rainfall warning of 7-11 cm for Bhadrak, Balasore, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj districts.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu reviewed the preparations made by the collectors of the four districts given the warning. Around 20,000 fishing boats were safely berthed and collectors of the four districts were instructed to use Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire services in case a situation arises, officials said.

Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose said he is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant touch with state and central experts to ensure a coordinated response to counter it. Bose emphasised the importance of safety for residents in the coastal regions of Bengal, urging them to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cyclones.

"Governor Bose is keeping a watch on the situation and is in touch with experts and authorities in the state and the Centre for a coordinated effort to endure the cyclone," the West Bengal Raj Bhavan posted on X.

A team from the 2nd battalion of the NDRF have been deployed at Hasnabad village in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas as a precautionary measure, ahead of the landfall of cyclone Remal by midnight.

“The severe cyclone storm ‘Remal’ lays centre of the North Bay of Bengal, about 200 kilometres south of Canning. It is moving northward and will continue to do so hitting the coast between Sagar Island of West Bengal and Khepupara of Bangladesh", says IMD Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

According to IMD, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.5-204.4 mm) on May 27 and 28.

IMD has issued a red alert for Assam and Meghalaya, the states are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rainfall ( > 204.4 mm) on May 27 and 28 and heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.5-204.4 mm) on May 29.

Rain lashes parts of Kolkata city as the region is witnessing the arrival of cyclone Remal.

Visuals from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

NDRF Eastern Region Commanding Officer Gurbind Singh said, "The deep depression that was there in Bay of Bengal has moved North. It has become a severe cyclonic storm. The landfall is expected between 12 pm to 6 am tonight. IMD has predicted the sustainable speed between 110-120 kmph. The gusting wind speed will be 135 kmph. Landfall is expected between WB's Sagar and Bandladesh's Khepupara. The intensity will be severe. The roofs of Kachha Houses may get damaged. There would be waterlogging in low-lying areas. After the landfall, the cyclone will move North. There will be effect for 12-14 hours. The most affected will be South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and East Medinipur. The eye of the storm will hit Bangladesh. 14 teams of NDRF have moved."

Flight operations at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata shuts down.

NDRF Inspector Kalicharan said informing about the preparation in East Medinipur, said, "The team has been deployed here. We will follow the instructions commanding officer. We will work hand in hand with the district administration. IMD said that the landfall is expected between 11 pm and 2 am. The wind speed is expected between 70-80 kmph in Medinipur. There would be an effect in adjoining areas. We have modern equipment. Volunteers will be there. Everybody should follow the advisory."

NDRF team deployed at New Digha Sea Beach.

Indian Navy has initiated preparatory actions, following existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), to mount a credible Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) response in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal. The cyclone is anticipated to cross the coast on the intervening night of 26/ 27 May 2024. The situation is being closely monitored at Naval Headquarters, with comprehensive preparatory actions being undertaken by the Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command.

In preparation, the Indian Navy has readied two ships equipped with HADR and medical supplies for immediate deployment to ensure the safety and welfare of the affected populace. Additionally, Indian Naval aviation assets, including Sea King and Chetak helicopters as well as Dornier aircrafts, are on standby for rapid response.

Specialised diving teams with equipment have been stationed in Kolkata to provide prompt assistance. Additionally, diving teams with necessary equipment are on standby in Visakhapatnam, prepared for quick deployment if needed. Two Flood Relief Teams (FRTs), along with HADR and medical supplies, are being positioned in Kolkata. In addition, two FRTs each from Visakhapatnam and Chilka are ready and on standby for deployment at short notice.

The Indian Navy remains vigilant and is closely monitoring the evolving situation to provide immediate and effective assistance in the wake of Cyclone Remal.

(Input: Manish Prasad)

Control room set up in Sundarbans to monitor cyclone 'Remal'.

SCS Remal over North BoB is about 260 km SSW of Khepupara and 240 km 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 a max. wind speed of 110-120 kmph, said IMD.

Pradip Kumar, Block Disaster Management Officer said, "We are ready for cyclone 'Remal'. We are also coordinating with the 14-gram Panchayat disaster management control room and we are ready for any situation. One team of NDRF one team has already deployed in the Gosaba area and many more school buildings and 10 flat centres are ready for rescue centre."

Due to cyclonic storm Remal, Indian Railways has cancelled numerous trains. Additionally, some trains have been terminated. For the convenience of passengers, helpline numbers have been issued.

• Train number 22897 (Howrah-Digha Kandari Express) will not operate on 26 May.
• Train number 08137 (Panskura-Digha EMU Passenger Special) will not operate on 26 May.
• Train number 08139 (Panskura-Digha EMU Passenger Special) will not operate on 26 May.
• Train number 22898 (Digha-Howrah Kandari Express) will not operate on 26 May.
• Train number 08136 (Digha-Panskura EMU Passenger Special) will not operate on 27 May.
• Train number 08138 (Digha-Panskura EMU Passenger Special) will not operate on 27 May.
• Train number 22889 (Digha-Puri Superfast Weekly Train) will operate from Kharagpur instead of Digha on 26 May.

Heavy rain has started over a wide range of areas in Gosaba and Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas district. The water level has increased in River Bakkhali.

NDRF team deployed in Sagar island as it intensified into severe cyclonic storm. It is expected to hit Bengal at midnight today.

Sayed Ali Khan, Civil Defence personnel, said, "We are alerting people. The weather has deteriorated more than yesterday..."

Weather changing at Mandarmani and Digha area in West Bengal's East Medinipur district.

Passengers face difficulties due to suspension of flights at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata in view of Cyclone 'Remal'.

As many as, 12 NDRF teams have been assembled in the state to address the cyclone. 

Today, an additional 15 disaster response teams have been formed in Kolkata to manage the storm. Kolkata Police has deployed one team in each of the 10 divisions, with two teams stationed in Lalbazar and at the Police Training facility. Each team comprises 7 members equipped with all necessary gear, including saws for tree cutting.

Furthermore, a dedicated control room has been established at Navanna, with contact numbers 1070 and (033) 2214 3535 available for assistance.

(Input: Onkar Sarkar)

Remal intensifies into severe cyclonic storm, to make landfall between West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts by Sunday midnight, as per the IMD.

Visuals from Sundarbans and South 24 Parganas.

The primary regions affected are West Bengal, Coastal Bangladesh, Tripura and some other parts of north-eastern states. Residents in these areas, as well as in the neighbouring state of Tripura, are urged to brace for adverse weather conditions starting from May 26.

NDRF Inspector Zaheer Abbas said the team is fully prepared to handle every kind of disaster. Speaking to news agency ANI, NDRF Inspector Zaheer Abbas said, "We are fully prepared for the cyclone. If the cyclone hits here, our soldiers are ready to deal with every kind of disaster... Our team is well-equipped. Our team is ready for tree falling or flood rescue etc... We are ready to deal with every situation..."

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the north Bay of Bengal until the morning of May 27. A red alert has been issued for the coastal districts of South and North 24 Parganas in West Bengal for May 26 and 27, predicting extremely heavy rain in some areas.

As per IMD, cyclone 'Remal' to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 6 hours and cross between Bangladesh and adjoining WB coasts around 26 midnight as Severe Cyclonic Storm.

An orange alert has been issued for Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, and Purba Medinipur districts, forecasting wind speeds of 80 to 90 kmph, gusting up to 100 kmph, along with heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places on May 26 and 27. In north Odisha, heavy rains are expected in the coastal districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara on May 26-27, with Mayurbhanj likely to experience heavy precipitation on May 27.

The IMD has warned of localised flooding and significant damage to vulnerable structures, power and communication lines, kutcha roads, crops, and orchards in South and North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal. Residents in the affected areas have been advised to stay indoors for safety.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday morning said that Cyclone Remal is set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by 11 am today and cross between Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts around midnight.

"The Deep Depression over East central Bay of Bengal moved nearly northward with a speed of 12 kmph during the past 06 hours,  intensified into a Cyclonic Storm “Remal” (pronounced as “Re-Mal”) and lay centered at 1730 hrs IST of today, the 25th May, 2024 over the North & adjoining East central Bay of Bengal near latitude 18.8°N and longitude 89.5°E, about 360 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 350 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and 390 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal)," said IMD.

It is very likely to continue to move nearly northwards and intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm by 26 May morning over the Northwest and adjoining Northeast Bay of Bengal and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara by 26th May midnight as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed of 110-120 gusting to 135 kmph," it added.

"Kolkata airport will remain closed from 1200 Hrs of 26 May to 0900 Hrs of 27 May due to severe cyclone conditions. All Air India flights to and from Kolkata are cancelled during this period," Air India said in an X post. 

"Passengers booked on these flights are requested to check our website for further updates," the airline added. 

In anticipation of the potential impact of Cyclone Remal, Kolkata airport authorities have decided to suspend flight operations for 21 hours starting from noon on Sunday. According to an Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesperson, a total of 394 flights, both international and domestic, are set to be cancelled during the 21-hour suspension period at Kolkata airport.

“In view of cyclone Remal's impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, a meeting was held with the stakeholders and it has been decided to suspend flight operations from 1200 IST on May 26 to 0900 IST on May 27 due to predicted heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kolkata,” NSCBI Airport Director C Pattabhi said in a statement.

In view of the possible destruction because of Cyclone Remal, Kolkata Police has issued the helpline numbers (9432610428 and 9432610429).

Named by Oman, Remal, meaning sand in Arabic, is the first cyclone over the Bay of Bengal in this pre-monsoon season.