Cyclone 'Remal' collided with the coast between Bangladesh and West Bengal on Sunday night. The Indian Meteorological Department announced that the cyclone, reaching the coasts on Sunday night, would gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm on Monday. Despite weakening, it has marked its devastating impact on West Bengal. Trees were uprooted, homes were destroyed, and power poles were brought down. The weather department notes that this is the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal before the monsoon. The IMD has issued a warning for extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and northern Odisha on the 26th and 27th of May. There is also a risk of extremely heavy showers in Assam and Meghalaya. According to the IMD, the cyclone is expected to move northward and then north-northeastward for some time before weakening into a cyclonic storm by this morning. Prior to this, winds blew at a speed of 135 kilometers per hour as Cyclone 'Remal' reached between Bangladesh and the adjacent coasts of West Bengal. It started making landfall near the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh around 8:30 pm on Sunday.
Stay updated with every detail regarding Cyclone 'Remal'...
- 7:56 AM
People Enjoying at Digha Sea Beach Despite Weather
On Monday morning, people were spotted enjoying the weather at Digha Sea Beach in Medinipur, West Bengal. A significant crowd was seen on the beachfront as Cyclone 'Remal' weakens further.
- 7:45 AM
Cyclone 'Remal' Gradually Weakens
The cyclone is now starting to weaken. Over the next few hours, it will grow even weaker. Over the past six hours, 'Remal' has moved almost north over the Bay of Bengal at a speed of 11 km per hour. It has crossed the Sagar Islands and the nearby coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal. It is likely to move north-northeast and weaken slowly into a cyclonic storm by this morning.
- 7:34 AM
Air to Road Traffic Disrupted
Fourteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across districts in Southern Bengal, including Kolkata. The state government has prepared its SDRF teams. Cyclone 'Remal' has put a halt to air, rail, and road traffic in Kolkata and other parts of Southern Bengal. Eastern and Southeastern Railway have canceled several trains. Kolkata Airport suspended flight operations for 21 hours, affecting 394 flights. The Kolkata Port Trust, also known as the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, has suspended operations as well.
- 7:33 AM
CM Mamata Calls for Residents to Stay Indoors
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged citizens to stay home. According to Mayor Firhad Hakim, officials of Kolkata Municipal Corporation have evacuated people from high-rise and dilapidated buildings. Hakim stated that 15,000 municipal workers have been employed to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone. Areas like Digha, Kakdwip, and Jaynagar experienced light rainfall and breezes, which are expected to intensify on Monday.
- 7:28 AM
Kolkata Police Issues Advisory
Kolkata Police has issued an advisory asking people to exercise caution, along with helpline numbers.
- 7:26 AM
Post-Cyclone Conditions in Bengal
As Cyclone 'Remal' arrived, vast beaches blurred under thick sheets of rain, roaring waters swept fishing boats inland, and lower areas found mud houses and crops drowned. In the Bibir Bagan area of Kolkata, one person was injured due to a wall collapse amid heavy rainfall. Reports from districts like North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore mention thatched roofs blown away, power poles broken, and numerous areas uprooted trees. Roads and homes in the low-lying areas near Kolkata were submerged.
- 7:22 AM
Power Supply Disrupted in Parts of Kolkata
Some areas of Kolkata have experienced power outages amidst the relentless rainfall. The Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation has taken this decision as a precaution due to heavy rain and winds.
- 7:20 AM
Cyclone Also Hits Kolkata
The cyclone that emerged from the Bay of Bengal is also having an impact in Kolkata. Water has flooded into the heart of the city. Heavy rain began in Kolkata with strong winds and thunder. The fury of the cyclone is evident in the coastal regions of Bangladesh, South 24 Parganas, the Sundarbans, and the West Bengal coast.
- 7:17 AM
Indian Coast Guard on High Alert
The Indian Coast Guard is on high alert. Disaster response teams, ships, and hovercrafts are closely monitoring the landfall of Cyclone 'Remal.' The Indian Coast Guard advises following official advisories and staying safe. They have ensured no loss of life or property at sea. Remote operating stations have alerted ships. Nine disaster relief teams are on standby. The Indian Navy has prepared two ships equipped with humanitarian aid and disaster relief, including medical supplies. Special diving teams and flood relief squads are also ready for deployment.
- 7:12 AM
Over 800,000 People Displaced in Bangladesh
The weather department has issued warnings for heavy rain today and tomorrow in Assam and other northeastern states. 'Red alerts' have been issued for the districts of Chirang, Golpara, Buxa, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj, while 'orange alerts' have been announced for Dhubri, South Salmara, Bongaigaon, Bajali, Tamulpur, Barpeta, Nalbari. Morigaon, Nagaon, Hojai, and West Karbi Anglong are expected to be severely affected by Remal. The neighboring country of Bangladesh is under a significant threat from Remal. It is reported that 800,000 people have already been displaced from coastal areas in Bangladesh.
- 7:11 AM
Red Alert for Rainfall in Seven Districts of Assam
A total of 14 NDRF teams have been deployed in West Bengal. According to the Meteorological Department, stormy winds are blowing over the northern Bay of Bengal at speeds of 110 to 120 kilometers per hour, which could reach up to 135 kilometers per hour. Along with West Bengal, 'red alerts' for extremely heavy rainfall have been issued for seven districts in Assam, and 'orange alerts' for 11 districts.
- 7:08 AM
One Hundred Thousand Evacuated
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been closely monitoring Cyclone 'Remal.' PM Modi conducted a high-level meeting regarding 'Remal' yesterday. The Governor of West Bengal, CV Anand Bose, is fully prepared. Anticipating the threat posed by 'Remal,' the Governor decided to monitor it overnight. It is reported that the areas of South 24 Parganas in West Bengal, including the coastal regions of Digha and Sundarbans, are most at risk. Approximately 100,000 people have already been displaced from coastal areas in West Bengal in anticipation of the danger.
- 7:03 AM
West Bengal Faces Torrential Rains With Strong Winds
West Bengal is currently battling a stormy threat. The landfall of Cyclone 'Remal' has occurred in West Bengal. Since midnight, many parts, including Kolkata, are experiencing heavy rainfall with strong winds. Disaster management teams have been deployed for relief and rescue operations in anticipation of destruction. The upscale Alipore area in Kolkata has been facing significant waterlogging since last night. A large tree has also fallen during this period. Air services and transport have been affected by the Remal storm. Many flights have been canceled.
