Cyclone Remal makes landfall today, Kolkata airport suspends flight operations – India TV

Cyclone Remal: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a strict warning for Cyclone Remal, which is expected to hit the northeastern region and Bangladesh and make landfall in West Bengal today (May 26), the first cyclone to hit the Bay of Bengal this pre-monsoon season.

A low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has developed into Cyclone Remal and is expected to make landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh around midnight on Sunday. The meteorological department said the cyclone will bring extremely heavy rains and strong winds to the coastal regions of Bangladesh and West Bengal on May 26.

Remal will develop into a severe cyclonic storm

According to the IMD, the storm is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by Sunday morning and is expected to cross the coast of West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara with wind speeds of 110-120 kmph and gusts of up to 135 kmph. Wind speeds of 110-120 kmph are expected to be recorded around midnight on Sunday, the IMD said.

“CS ‘Remal’ is located over North BoB, about 290 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (WB), 300 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh) and 320 km south-southeast of Canning (WB). It will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 6 hours and will pass between Bangladesh and adjoining coastal WB as SCS at around 2600 midnight,” the IMD said in its bulletin at 5:52 am on Sunday.

Orange alert

Orange alert has been issued for Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia and Purba Medinipur districts. Wind speeds of 80-90 kmph with gusts of up to 100 kmph are forecast on May 26 and 27, along with heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places. In North Odisha, heavy rains are expected in the coastal districts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Kendrapara on May 26 and 27, and Mayurbhanj is expected to receive heavy rainfall on May 27.

The IMD has warned of localised flooding and significant damage to vulnerable buildings, power and communication lines, kutcha roads, crops and orchards in the 24 Parganas districts of south and north West Bengal. Residents of the affected areas are advised to stay indoors for safety reasons.

Kolkata Airport suspends flight operations

Anticipating the possible impact of Cyclone Remal, Kolkata airport authorities have decided to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from Sunday noon. According to a spokesperson of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), a total of 394 international and domestic flights will be cancelled at Kolkata airport during the 21-hour suspension period.

“In view of the impact of Cyclone Remal on the coastal region of West Bengal including Kolkata, a meeting was held with the stakeholders and it was decided to suspend flight operations from May 26, 12:00 IST to May 27, 09:00 IST due to forecast strong winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kolkata,” NSCBI Airport Director C Pattabhi said in a statement.

The Met Office has issued a warning of extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and North Odisha on May 26 and 27. Parts of Northeast India are expected to receive heavy rainfall on May 27 and 28.

Upon landfall, a storm surge of up to 1.5 metres is expected to inundate low-lying areas along the coast of West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the northern Bay of Bengal till the morning of May 27. The red alert has been issued for the coastal districts of the 24 South and North Parganas of West Bengal on May 26 and 27, predicting extremely heavy rains in some areas.

Air India issues warning

“Kolkata Airport will remain closed from 12:00 noon on May 26 to 09:00 am on May 27 due to severe cyclone. All Air India flights to and from Kolkata are cancelled during this period,” Air India said in an X-post.

“Passengers booked on these flights are requested to check our website for further updates,” the airline added.

(With PTI inputs)

Also read: Cyclone Remal hits West Bengal, Odisha: Precautionary measures you can take to stay safe

Also read: Cyclone Remal hits West Bengal, Bangladesh on Sunday with wind speed of 102 km/h