Cyclone Remal Latest Update: IMD issues orange alert - Check landfall date and other details

Cyclone Remal Latest Update, Kerala Heavy Rainfall Expected, Odisha Districts on Alert: The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for rainfall in West Bengal and forecast that cyclonic storms will hit the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh on May 26.

This severe cyclone is named Cyclone Remal. In a press release, on Friday, the IMD department said, "The depression over the central Bay of Bengal has moved towards the northeast with a speed of 20 kmph during the past three hours. It is very likely to continue to move north-eastward and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal by May 25th. Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards, intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by May 25 and hit the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara at around 6 pm on May 26.

Earlier, on May 23, IMD scientist Dr. Somenath Dutta said, "There was a low-pressure area over the south-west Bay of Bengal near the Chennai coast yesterday. That low-pressure area started moving in the northeast direction and it intensified a bit. On May 24, it will intensify into a depression. It will intensify into a cyclonic storm on May 25... The landfall will be at midnight on May 26."
Along with rainfall alerts in West Bengal, the India Meteorological Department has also predicted isolated heavy rainfall over North Coastal Odisha on May 25 and 26. It has also predicted light to moderate rainfall at most places in the eastern districts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal on May 27 and 28.

Apart from West Bengal, the IMD has forecasted moderate rainfall in various districts of Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram on Friday. Light rainfall is anticipated in the remaining districts of Kerala.

According to the latest update from the authority, "Moderate rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram districts, while light rainfall is likely at one or two places in all other districts of Kerala."

In the meantime, Thiruvananthapuram has been experiencing heavy rainfall for the past several days, leading to significant surges in local rivers and raising concerns of potential flooding. The city has been dealing with waterlogging due to continuous downpours since May 18. 

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has asked the authorities of four districts to take preparatory measures as a depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to concentrate into a severe cyclonic storm, officials said. The cyclone is likely to make landfall along the adjoining coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh around May 26 midnight, bringing heavy rain to several Odisha districts.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu has alerted the collectors of Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj and asked them to take preparatory measures in view of the impending calamity.

Coast Guard deploys 9 disaster relief teams

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has initiated comprehensive preparatory measures and placed nine disaster relief teams at strategic locations to ensure minimal loss of life and property at sea due to Cyclonic Storm 'Remal' originating in the central Bay of Bengal.

According to the Ministry of Defence, "9 disaster relief teams have been positioned at strategic locations including Haldia, Paradip, Gopalpur, and Frazerganj, ready to provide immediate assistance in the event of an emergency."

With agency inputs