Severe Cyclone ‘Remal’ Expected to Make Landfall in West Bengal and Bangladesh
A severe cyclonic storm named ‘Remal’ has intensified in the Bay of Bengal and is predicted to hit the coasts between West Bengal’s Sagar Island and Bangladesh’s Khepupara. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is expected to make landfall with wind speeds of 110 to 120 kmph, gusting to 135 kmph, around midnight on Sunday.
The IMD has issued warnings of heavy rainfall in coastal districts of West Bengal and north Odisha, with a storm surge of up to 1.5 meters expected to inundate low-lying areas. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until Monday morning. Red alerts have been issued for South and North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, while orange alerts are in place for other districts in the region.
The cyclone is likely to impact the Sundarbans mangrove forest, a vital ecosystem vulnerable to severe weather events. Scientists attribute the intensification of cyclones to warmer sea surface temperatures caused by climate change. Efforts are being made to strengthen adaptive capacity and reduce losses from cyclones through initiatives like the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP).
Published on 26 May 2024, 04:15 IST