Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal to Hit Bangladesh and West Bengal by Sunday

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal will intensify into Cyclone Remal, reaching the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal as a severe cyclonic storm by Sunday evening. This marks the first pre-monsoon cyclone in the Bay of Bengal for the season.

IMD scientist Monica Sharma informed PTI that the system will become a depression by Friday morning, intensify into a cyclonic storm by Saturday, and reach severe cyclonic status by Sunday. Winds could reach speeds of 102 km/h.

Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for coastal districts of West Bengal, north Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura, and south Manipur for May 26-27. Fishermen are advised to avoid the Bay of Bengal until May 27.

Cyclonic storms are intensifying more rapidly due to warmer sea surface temperatures, a result of greenhouse gas emissions. The Bay of Bengal currently has temperatures around 30°C, conducive to cyclone formation. Former Earth Sciences Secretary Madhavan Rajeevan noted that both oceanic and atmospheric conditions, like vertical wind shear, are crucial for cyclone development.

This system will initially aid monsoon progress over the Bay of Bengal before potentially causing a slight delay due to moisture pull, as noted by senior IMD scientist DS Pai.