DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a discussion to assess the readiness for cyclone ‘Remal’ in the North Bay of Bengal at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Sunday.
As per India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts, the cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall along the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal, specifically between the Sagar Islands and Khepupara. The storm is projected to pass near the southwest region of Mongla, Bangladesh, by midnight today. As a result, rainfall is anticipated in both West Bengal and the Northeastern States.
NDRF units are already stationed in West Bengal and Odisha. Additional teams must be prepared to mobilize within sixty minutes
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
The Prime Minister was briefed that the National Crisis Management Committee is in regular touch with the Government of West Bengal. All fishermen have been advised not to venture into the South Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Around one lakh people are being relocated to safer places. The IMD is also extending information assistance to Bangladesh with regular updates.
The Prime Minister said that the Government of India has extended full support to the state government and must continue to do so.
He instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to closely monitor the situation and conduct a thorough review following the cyclone’s landfall to provide essential support for restoration efforts.The Prime Minister has directed for additional NDRF teams to be placed on standby in West Bengal and Odisha, in addition to the 12 teams already deployed in West Bengal and one in Odisha, with the capability to mobilize within one hour. The Indian Coast Guard should mobilize its resources in the event of an emergency. The ports, railways, and highways should be kept on high vigil to avoid any untoward incidents, the PM said.
The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Director General of the IMD, and the Member Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) were present, according to a PMO release.
Cyclone Remal to make landfall in Bengal by tonight
The IMD has predicted that the Cyclone Remal will turn into a severe cyclonic storm and make a landfall in Kolkata by tonight. According to IMD, “The CS ‘Remal’ over North BoB about 290 km S SE of Sagar Islands (WB) 300 km S SW of Khepupara(Bangladesh) and 320 km S SE of Canning (WB). To intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in next 06 hours and cross between Bangladesh and adjoining WB coasts around 26 midnight as SCS.”
IMD issues advisory
The IMD has issued an advisory for all those who are in regions that could potentially be impacted by the cyclone.
- Fishermen are cautioned against entering the South Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, while those already at sea have been advised to seek safe harbor.
- A caution has been issued for localized flooding and potential harm to power and communication systems, crops, vulnerable structures, and under-constructed (kutcha) roads in the South and North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
Areas on high alert:
- A Red Alert has been issued for May 26-27 in the coastal districts of South and North 24 Parganas, with significant rainfall expected in these regions.
- An Orange Alert has been issued for May 26-27 in Kolkata, Howrah, Purba Medinipur, and Nadia districts, cautioning residents about gusty winds reaching up to 100 kmph along with heavy to very heavy rainfall.
- A Yellow Alert has been issued for May 26 in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara, and for May 27 in Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, and Balasore. The forecast predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall in these areas.
Places to be hit by Cyclone Remal
- West Bengal
- Tripura
- Assam
- Nagaland
- Manipur
The severe cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ over the North Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards, with a speed of 110 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centred at 10.30 pm today, over the north Bay of Bengal close to Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts. The forward sector of the wall cloud region has entered into land. The eye of the cyclone is entering into land. Thus, the landfall process is continuing over coastal areas of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts. It will continue for the next 2 hours: IMD
Cyclone Remal:
Cyclone Remal is the inaugural cyclone of the pre-monsoon season in the Bay of Bengal. Oman has named it Remal, following the cyclone naming protocol for the North Indian Ocean region.
Over 1 lakh people shifted to secure shelters in WB
As a preventive action in response to the imminent severe cyclone ‘Remal’, the government of West Bengal has shifted over 1.10 lakh people from coastal regions such as the Sundarbans and Sagar Island. including the Sundarbans and Sagar Island, to secure shelters, according to an official. The state disaster management and NDRF have deployed 16 battalions each in the coastal areas.
All precautionary measures in place: Assam CM
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on his X handle “Cyclone Remal can bring inclement weather in parts of Assam. We are taking several precautionary measures. NDRF & SDRF teams are on standby, control rooms are operational and we are deploying a whole of government approach to keep our citizens safe. Stay safe and please cooperate with your local administration”
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