Flights suspended, orange alert and more: How Kolkata prepares for Cyclone Remal’s landfall | News from Kolkata

• KMC deploys additional personnel and machinery in areas at risk of stagnant water
• Portable pumps are available for low-lying areas not connected to the sewer system
• KMC’s Parks and Squares Department has tree felling crews ready in 16 districts
• KMC Lighting and Electricity Department checks for loose cables
• The city police will coordinate with NDRF, fire department, KMC and civil defence to ensure minimum response time in case of emergencies.
• Traffic police keep an eye on traffic lights and billboards
• A command centre with representatives from all junction lamp post feeders has been set up in Lalbazar.
• The advertising department reminds advertising agencies of the structural stability of the billboards. The center coordinates rescue work if necessary
• Authorities at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata have decided to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from Sunday noon as the state prepares for Cyclone Remal.

Impact of Cyclone Remal on the city

“Kolkata is likely to feel the impact of the cyclone the most in the 24 hours between Sunday and Monday afternoon. The first six hours from Sunday afternoon are crucial to determine the impact of the storm,” said HR Biswas, weather chief of the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

Kolkata is in the “focal zone” of Cyclone Remal, which could come within 100 kilometers of the city after it makes landfall, an official said.

Ministry officials warned of possible power outages and communication disruptions, as well as damage to infrastructure in Kolkata and neighboring districts in south Bengal.

East Midnapore and North and South 24-Pargana are expected to be the worst affected areas over the next two days, with isolated extreme heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm and wind gusts reaching 120 km/h, compared to the 90 km/h forecast for Kolkata.

An orange alert has been issued for Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia and Purba Medinipur districts.