KOLKATA – Cyclone Remal is poised to graze Kolkata following its anticipated landfall between Sagar Island and Khepupara on the Bengal-Bangladesh coast around midnight on Sunday.
The city is expected to receive up to 200 mm of rainfall, accompanied by winds gusting up to 100 kmph within the 24-hour period following the cyclone’s impact. Meteorological officials have forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall between Sunday and Monday, with amounts ranging from 70 mm to 200 mm. The more significant concern, however, is the sustained wind speed of 80 kmph to 90 kmph, with gusts reaching 100 kmph, posing a substantial threat to Kolkata and its neighbouring districts.
The weather system, which is set to evolve into the severe cyclonic storm Remal by Saturday, rapidly intensified from a well-marked low-pressure area to a depression in the central Bay of Bengal over a six-hour period on Friday morning. As of Friday afternoon, the system was located approximately 710 km south of Canning in Bengal, prompting an orange alert for Kolkata.
Neighbouring south Bengal districts, including Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, and East Midnapore, have also been placed under an orange alert. In contrast, North and South 24 Parganas are under a red alert, with South 24 Parganas likely to experience sustained wind speeds of 100 kmph to 110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph. The Meteorological Department has also issued a red alert for fishermen, advising against venturing out to sea until after Monday. Coastal south Bengal districts are warned to prepare for potential flooding, significant infrastructure damage, and disruptions to power and communication lines.
In the lead-up to the cyclone, Kolkata experienced increased humidity due to moisture incursions from the Bay of Bengal, resulting in uncomfortable conditions. On Friday, the maximum temperature rose to 36.7°C from Thursday’s 34.8°C, while the minimum increased from 26.4°C to 27.6°C. The aftermath of the thunderstorm is expected to bring a drop in the maximum temperature below 30°C. The city is likely to experience light showers on Saturday and most of Sunday, with partly cloudy skies. Saturday’s maximum temperature is projected to be around 36°C, with a minimum of about 28°C.
As the city braces for Cyclone Remal, authorities and residents are urged to take necessary precautions to mitigate the cyclone’s impact. The coming days will be critical as the storm makes its presence felt, highlighting the importance of preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
