Cyclone 'Remal' Highlights | 'Severe' storm to weaken gradually by May 27 morning: IMD

As per IMD, cyclone 'Remal' is to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next few hours and cross between Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts around May 26 midnight as a Severe Cyclonic Storm

'Remal' to cross between Bangladesh and adjoining WB coasts around 26 midnight as SCS

Cyclone Remal: Kolkata airport to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from Sunday noon

The authorities of Kolkata airport have decided to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from Sunday noon in view of the possible impact of cyclone Remal, an official said here.

A total of 394 flights, arrival and departure, in both international and domestic sectors would not operate to and fro the airport during the flight suspension period, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesperson told PTI.

With a wind speed of 110-120 km per hour, gusting to 135 kmph, the cyclonic storm is likely to make landfall on May 26 at midnight along the adjoining coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Met Office warns of extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and north Odisha on May 26-27.

A storm surge of up to 1.5 metres expected to inundate low-lying areas of coastal West Bengal and Bangladesh at the time of landfall.

Cyclone 'Remal' intensifies into severe cyclonic storm; to hit Bengal, B'desh coasts tonight

Cyclone 'Remal' has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall between West Bengal's Sagar Island and Bangladesh's Khepupara on Sunday night, the IMD said.

This is the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this pre-monsoon season.

Cyclone 'Remal' over the north Bay of Bengal intensifies

Cyclone 'Remal' over the north Bay of Bengal intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and was centred approximately 290 km south-southeast of Khepupara and 270 km south-southeast of Sagar Island, according to an update issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) at 8 am on Sunday.

Passengers at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata face difficulties due to the suspension of flights from 12:00 on May 26 to 9:00 on May 27, in view of Cyclone 'Remal'

"My grandmother came here today but she was informed that her flight is overbooked and she will have to come tomorrow again because the remaining flights have been cancelled due to a cyclone. Several flights are getting cancelled here. The main reason for cancellation is due to the cyclone and bad weather conditions..."

(Credit: X/@ANI)

Weather changing at Mandarmani and Digha area in West Bengal's East Medinipur district as cyclone 'Renal' expected to intensify in a few hours

Heavy rain in Sundarbans as storm intensifies

IN PICS | Visuals from South 24 Parganas

NDRF team deployed at New Digha Sea Beach

Indian Navy initiates preparatory actions as situation is being closely monitored at Naval Headquarters

Credit: X/@ANI

The 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. The situation is being closely monitored at Naval Headquarters, with comprehensive preparatory actions being undertaken by the Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command.

Cyclone 'Remal' intensifies into severe cyclonic storm, expected to make landfall by midnight

Cyclone 'Remal' has strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm and is expected to hit the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal by Sunday midnight, with winds of 110-120 kmph and gusting up to 135 kmph, according to the Meteorological Department.

The cyclone is anticipated to bring extremely heavy rainfall to the coastal districts of West Bengal and heavy to very heavy rain in Kolkata and nearby areas.

In response to the approaching cyclone, the Eastern and South Eastern Railways have cancelled several train services in the coastal districts of South and North 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur district as a precaution.

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

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: NDRF Eastern region Commander Gurminder Singh

"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."

NDRF in Barrackpore take preventative measures cyclone Remal is expected to intensify

NDRF personnels make announcements for visitors at Digha beach as part of precautionary measures, ahead of the landfall of Cyclone 'Remal', in Purba Medinipur district

Rains lash parts of Kolkata as city witnesses arrival of cyclone

Heavy rainfall expected in coastal districts of West Bengal: IMD chief

“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. Under its influence, rainfall has already started in the area, and we are expecting heavy rainfall in the coastal districts. The rainfall can exceed 25 centimetres today,” says India Meteorological Department Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

With inputs from PTI

Wind speed to reach 110-120 kmph: IMD scientist Somenath Dutta

"In the last 6 hours, the cyclone 'Remal' is moving towards the North Bay with the speed of 13 km/hr... It is in the southwest of Khepupara, Bangladesh... Currently, the windspeed is 95-105 km/hr... It will move in the north direction. At midnight, it will cross the region between Sagar Island and Khepupara... The maximum windspeed will be 110-120 km/hr, gusting to 135 km/hr..."

In pics | Passengers waiting at Kolkata Airport after authorities decided to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from noon on Sunday.

Watch | West Bengal: NDRF teams deployed in North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas ahead of Cyclone 'Remal'

In pics | Preparations for cyclone 'Remal'

Odisha: Fishermen advised not to venture into sea till May 27

"... Today morning at 5:30 hours IST, a severe cyclonic storm Remal has formed over the north Bay of Bengal. It is likely to move northwestward with a speed of 7 km/hr...There is not much impact on Odisha. But in coastal Odisha, we are likely to get light to moderate rain at many places with isolated heavy rainfall activity. The fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till May 27," IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty told ANI.

Watch | PM Narendra Modi chairs meeting to review response and preparedness for Cyclone 'Remal'

Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor urges people to keep themselves safe

"We want to assure that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the state government under the leadership of CM Mamata Banerjee are continuously working for the people. Nearly 15,000 labourers are working to normalise the situation in Kolkata. The commissioner has held meetings with all departments, and the pumping stations are working regularly. I urge the people to keep themselves safe," said Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Firhad Hakim at a press conference.

With inputs from PTI

NDRF officials asked locals in East Medinipur to vacate low-lying areas in view of Cyclone Remal, reports PTI.

Control room set up to monitor cyclone 'Remal' in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas, reports ANI.

Landfall process to commence in 2-3 hours: IMD scientist Somenath Dutta

"The severe cyclonic storm Remal over the north Bay of Bengal moved nearly northward with a speed of 16 kilometres per hour during the past 6 hours and it lay centred at 17 30 hours IST today...The landfall process will commence in the next 2-3 hours and the current intensity near the centre in terms of maximum sustained wind is 110 to 120 gusting to 135 kilometers per hour..."

With inputs from ANI

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose calls emergency review meeting on cyclone Remal

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose called an emergency review meeting on cyclone Remal on Sunday evening as expected landfall time inches closer. An official notification issued by the Raj Bhavan read that a task force has been set up 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.

With inputs from ANI

Landfall process has commenced over coastal areas of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process will continue for the next 4 hours.

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.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks to concerned officials as cyclone Remal makes landfall

Red alert in four districts in Tripura

The Tripura government on Sunday issued a red alert in four districts — South, Dhalai, Khowai, and West — in the wake of severe cyclonic storm 'Remal', reported PTI.

"Since Kolkata airport has already been shut down due to the cyclonic storm, all flights to and from MBB Airport to Kolkata have been suspended, but services on other routes Agartala-Guwahati, Agartala-Delhi, and Agartala-Bangalore are operating normally," said an AAI official.

Stay home and stay safe: CM Mamata Banerjee

India Meteorological Department predicts Cyclone Remal will make landfall in next few hours, affecting WB coast

SCS “Remal” (pronounced as “Re-Mal”) over the North Bay of Bengal about 110 km east of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), to move nearly northwards and cross Bangladesh and adjoining WB coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara, close to SW of Mongla (Bangladesh) in next 3 hrs as SCS

Rainfall lashes Kolkata, Digha as Cyclone Remal makes landfall.

'Cyclone is turning into a severe cyclonic storm': Tripura Disaster Management Authority

“Our state and district emergency operation centres will function 24/7. The cyclone is turning into a severe cyclonic storm. Schools and educational centres will remain closed on May 27 and 28,” says Tripura Disaster Management Authority Secretary Brijesh Pandey.

The landfall process started at 8:30 pm... over the Bangladesh and West Bengal coast. As per the observation at 10:30 pm, it shows that the landfall process is continuing...by 12:30 am the landfall process will be complete.

Somnath Dutta, Eastern Region Head, IMD Kolkata

NDRF team clears road after a tree uprooted near Sagar bypass road amid heavy rain and gusty winds

IMD Kolkata radar captures Remal crossing Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts.

Eye of the cyclone is entering into land. Landfall process continuing over coastal areas of Bangladesh & West Bengal coasts & continue for next 2 hrs: IMD

Severe cyclonic storm 'Remal' will continue to move nearly northwards and then north-northeastwards before weakening gradually into a cyclonic storm by morning of May 27: IMD

The Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Remal' over the North Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards, with a speed of 13 kmph during past 06 hours, crossed the Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal Coasts between Sagar Islands and Khepupara close to southwest of Mongla near Latitude 21.75°N and Longitude 89.2°E between 22:30 hrs IST of 26th May to 00:30 hrs IST of 27th May 2024 as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed of 110 to 120 Kmph gusting to 135 Kmph. It lay centered at 01:30 hrs IST of today, the 27th May, 2024 over Coastal Bangladesh and adjoining Coastal West Bengal, near latitude 21.9°N and longitude 89,2°E about 115 km east of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), 105 km west-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 70 km southeast of Canning (West Bengal) and SO km south-southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh), The system would continue to move nearly northwards for some more time and then north-northeastwards and weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm by morning of 27" May 2024: IMD (ANI)

Remal flattened fragile dwellings, uprooted trees and knocked down electric poles

Reports from North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts stated roofs of thatched houses were blown away, electric poles twisted and trees uprooted in several areas. Streets and homes in low-lying areas adjoining Kolkata were inundated. One person was injured after being hit by debris in the Gosaba area of the Sundarbans.