Cyclone Remal Effect In Kolkata: Presidency Exams Postponed, Train And Flight Services Hit, Metro Rail Affected Too

Ahead of landfall, Cyclone Remal has caused significant disruptions in Kolkata, including the suspension of Metro services and the cancellation of trains and flights.

Cyclone Remal Update | Commuters taking cover under umbrella cross road during rain, ahead of cyclone Remal?s landfall, in Kolkata, Sunday, May 26, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

Cyclone Remal is approaching with increasing strength. The landfall is expected between 11 PM and 1 AM, with the maximum wind speed likely to reach up to 135 km/h. Meanwhile, the impact has already started to be felt in Kolkata and its surrounding districts. In Tollygunge, the Kolkata Metro shed was damaged by strong winds, resulting in suspension of service between Kavi Subhash and Tollygunge stations. Train and flight services have been affected too. 

Meteorologists predict that the very severe cyclonic storm will make landfall near Mongla in Bangladesh, between Sagardwip and Khepupara, around Sunday midnight. The maximum wind speed at the time of landfall could be 135 km/h.

Somnath Dutta, the Eastern Director of the Alipore Meteorological Department, said: "The very severe cyclonic storm will move northwards and gain more strength. Tonight, it will cross between Sagardwip and Khepupara near Mongla in Bangladesh as a very severe cyclonic storm. Wind speeds will be around 110-120 km/h, with a maximum possible speed of 135 km/h."

ALSO READ ON ABP LIVE | Severe Cyclone 'Remal' Makes Landfall On Bangladesh Coast, Nearly A Million Evacuated

Presidency University Postpones Exams 

Due to Cyclone Remal, some scheduled examinations at Presidency University have been postponed. The undergraduate and postgraduate second semester exams have been rescheduled by the university authorities. The postponed exams will now be held on June 18.

List Of Cancelled Trains

As many as 53 local and several long-distance trains have been cancelled 11 pm, Sunday, to 6 am, Monday. 
Take a look at the list of cancelled trains: 

•  Several trains on the Barasat-Hasnabad route will be canceled from 11 PM.
• From 11 PM, several local trains on the Sealdah-Canning and Budge Budge sections will be cancelled.
• Multiple trains on the Sealdah-Diamond Harbour, Lakhmikantapur-Namkhana sections will be cancelled from 11 PM.
• Trains on the Sealdah-Lakhmikantapur route will be cancelled on Monday.
• Trains on the Sealdah-Sonarpur and Baruipur sections will also be cancelled on Monday.
• Nine long-distance trains from Howrah have been cancelled.
• Nine local trains on the Bandel section have been cancelled.
• Additionally, two local trains between Howrah and Singur have been cancelled.

Disruption In Flight Services

From Sunday noon, all flight services at Kolkata Airport will remain suspended for 21 hours, until 9 am Monday, affecting 340 domestic and 54 international flights, and the around 50,000 passengers who were to travel in them. The Kolkata Airport authorities have taken precautionary measures to avoid damage from the impending cyclone. Kolkata Airport Looks Deserted As Cyclone Remal Forces 21-Hour Suspension Of Flights — IN PICS

Metro Rail Services Hit

The control room of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is closely monitoring the situation as Cyclone Remal approaches. Officials said the disaster management team is prepared. Apart from the Metro shed damage, another incident was reported from Nagerbazar area where a tree was uprooted due to the strong winds. Municipal workers are learnt to have cleared it.