Cyclone Remal Strengthens: Severe Cyclonic Storm to Strike Bengal and Bangladesh Coasts

**Cyclone ‘Remal’ Set to Impact West Bengal and Bangladesh Coasts**
New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Cyclone ‘Remal’, the first cyclone of this pre-monsoon season in the Bay of Bengal, has escalated into a severe cyclonic storm. It is projected to make landfall between West Bengal’s Sagar Island and Bangladesh’s Khepupara on Sunday night.
As of Sunday morning, ‘Remal’ was centered about 290 km south-southeast of Khepupara and 270 km south-southeast of Sagar Island. The IMD forecasts that the cyclone will further intensify, crossing the coasts with wind speeds ranging from 110 to 120 kmph, and gusting up to 135 kmph around midnight. There is a possibility of the cyclone making landfall by late evening according to other models.
The coastal regions of West Bengal and north Odisha are bracing for extremely heavy rainfall on Sunday, with the IMD issuing a red alert for the South and North 24 Parganas districts in West Bengal for May 26-27. An orange alert warns of significant wind speeds and heavy rainfall in Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, and Purba Medinipur districts during the same period. North Odisha’s coastal districts are also expected to experience heavy rainfall.
A storm surge of up to 1.5 meters could inundate low-lying areas of coastal West Bengal and Bangladesh during landfall. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the north Bay of Bengal until Monday morning. The IMD has also warned of potential localized flooding and damage to infrastructure, including power and communication lines, roads, crops, and orchards in the affected areas.
The cyclone threatens the Sundarbans mangrove forest, home to a diverse range of species, highlighting the impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of such natural disasters. Studies indicate that cyclones are intensifying more rapidly and retaining their strength for longer periods due to warmer sea surface temperatures.
Efforts to mitigate the impact of cyclones, such as the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project, have been highlighted as crucial in preparing for and responding to these natural disasters. The importance of early warning systems and the need to climate-proof critical infrastructure are also emphasized.
[Note: This summary is based on an automated news feed and has not been edited.]