According to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cyclonic storm forming in the Bay of Bengal is expected to make landfall along the coasts of West Bengal and neighboring Bangladesh as a severe cyclone on May 26th (Sunday). Cyclone Remal’s arrival is expected to align with the voting schedule for eight Lok Sabha election seats during the state’s sixth phase on Saturday.
The Meteorological Department predicts that Cyclone Remal will strike the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh on the morning of May 26, with winds reaching speeds of 110-120 kilometers per hour and rushing up to 135 kilometers per hour. According to the IMD, this intensity will persist for nearly 24 hours until the morning of May 27, after which it is expected to weaken.
The weather office stated that the storm is expected to intensify into a deep depression on Friday, May 25, and develop into a severe cyclonic storm by May 26.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for light to moderate rainfall in Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, Jhargam, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Purba Medinipur districts.
What did the IMD indicate?
The IMD stated in its bulletin that a well-marked low-pressure area over the west-central and adjacent south Bay of Bengal moved northeastwards over the past 12 hours, intensifying into a depression. As of 5:30 am on May 24, it was centered over the central Bay of Bengal, approximately 800 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh) and 810 km south of Canning (West Bengal).
The bulletin added, “It is very likely to continue moving northeastwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of May 25. Subsequently, it is expected to move nearly northwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the evening of May 25”.
The IMD reported, “Continuing to move nearly northward, it is highly likely to cross the coasts of Bangladesh and adjacent West Bengal between Sagar Island and Khepupara around midnight on May 26 as a severe cyclonic storm”.
The meteorological office has cautioned sea fishermen to return to shore and avoid venturing into the Bay of Bengal until May 27.
Election Commission on High Alert
The cyclone is anticipated to coincide with the polling in eight Lok Sabha seats of West Bengal on Saturday, including, Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargam, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur.
An official stated that the Election Commission had notified district administrations to implement all necessary precautions at polling stations due to the impending storm.
During a meeting with superintendents of police and state disaster management officials, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab assessed the situation and instructed them to take essential measures to avert any adverse incidents.
“Adequate measures have been instructed to be taken by the SPs,” Aftab informed news agency PTI.
As per sources within the state disaster management department, all essential measures have been implemented, and extra personnel have been dispatched to coastal districts.
