A cyclonic storm, developing in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to hit the coasts of West Bengal and neighbouring Bangladesh as a severe cyclonic storm on May 26 (Sunday), according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The cyclone is expected to hit the coasts of Bengal and Bangladesh on the morning of May 26 with a speed of 110-120 kilometres per hour, gusting at up to 135 kilometres per hour, the IMD said. The severity will remain for almost 24 hours till the morning of May 27 and then will lose intensity, it added.
The storm is likely to turn into a deep depression on May 25 (Saturday) and as a severe cyclonic storm on May 26, the weather office said.
An orange alert has been issued by the IMD for light to moderate rainfall in Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, Jhargram, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur districts.
In its latest bulletin, the IMD said the well-marked low-pressure area concentrated into depression over the Central Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am on Friday and is likely to move towards the northeast and intensify further into a cyclone over east-central BoB by Saturday morning — it would then be identified as Cyclone Remal.
“Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards, intensify into a severe cyclone by 25 evening. Continuing to move nearly northward, it is very likely to cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara around 26th May midnight as a severe cyclonic storm,” said the bulletin.
The weather office has also warned fishermen at sea to return to the coast and not venture into the Bay of Bengal until May 27.
On Friday, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram are likely to witness thunderstorms with lightning accompanied by rain, according to the IMD.
Cyclone on election day in Bengal
Cyclonic storm Remal is likely to coincide with the voting in eight seats in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state on May 25.
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The Election Commission has alerted the district administrations to take all precautionary measures at polling stations in view of the brewing storm, an official said.
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab reviewed the situation in a meeting with superintendents of police and state disaster management officials and directed them to take necessary steps to prevent any untoward situation.