IMD warns Northeast region as Cyclone 'Remal' to make landfall in WB today, Kolkata airport suspends flights

Cyclone Remal, which is predicted to make landfall in West Bengal on May 26, was alerted to the northeast and Bangladesh on Saturday by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to the weather department, exceptionally high rainfall and wind gusts will be witnessed in Bangladesh and West Bengal's coastal areas as a result of Cyclone Remal.

#WATCH | West Bengal: As per IMD, cyclone 'Remal' to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 6 hours and cross between Bangladesh and adjoining WB coasts around 26 midnight as Severe Cyclonic Storm

(Visuals from Mandarmani Beach) pic.twitter.com/4RX8Z0TDMI

— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2024

As stated by the Andhra Pradesh Regional Meteorological Department, "Deep Depression intensified into a Cyclonic Storm 'Remal' over North and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal."

"The Deep Depression over East-central Bay of Bengal moved nearly northward with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a Cyclonic Storm ‘Remal’ and lay centered at 1730 hrs IST of today, May 25, 2024, over the North and adjoining East central Bay of Bengal near latitude 18.8°N and longitude 89.5°E, about 360 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 350 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and 390 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal)," it said.

The CS "Remal" over North & adjoining EC BoB about 300km S SE of Sagar Islands(WB) 310km S SW of Khepupara(Bangladesh). To intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by 26 morning and cross between Bangladesh and adjoining WB coasts around 26 midnight as SCS. pic.twitter.com/pv9qduzKQh

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 25, 2024

The department also underlined that the cyclone will be initiated with a low-pressure system and the west-central Bay of Bengal and advised the people to take all precautionary measures and not to venture into the sea. The IMD has warned the people to be on alert till May 28 and warning can be extended if required.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, the Kolkata Airport Authority has suspended all flights for 21 hours due to the cyclone's landfall.