Cyclone Remal Update: Landfall Brings Heavy Rain & Gusty Winds, Over 1 Lakh Evacuated In Bengal — Top Points
Cyclone Remal is making landfall in Bangladesh and West Bengal, with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph. The cyclone is expected to cause flooding, damage to structures, and disruptions in transportation.
Severe cyclonic storm Remal's landfall process on Sunday commenced over coastal areas of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal. This comes as over one lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas in Bengal, with the coastal regions on high alert. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Remal was centred about 110 km east of Sagar Island. The cyclone, accompanied by high-velocity winds with a maximum sustained speed of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, is expected to cross Sagar Islands in West Bengal and Khepupara near Mongla port in Bangladesh after midnight.
Cyclone Remal Update: PM Modi Briefed, Over One Lakh Evacuated, 14 NDRF Teams Deployed
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed that the National Crisis Management Committee is in constant communication with the Government of West Bengal. All fishermen have been advised against venturing into the South Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Additionally, approximately one lakh people are being relocated to safer areas. The IMD is providing regular updates to Bangladesh as part of information support.
"The Government of India has extended full support to the State Government and must continue to do so," stated PM Modi. He emphasied the need for the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the situation closely and conduct a review after the cyclone's landfall to facilitate necessary restoration assistance.
Prime Minister Modi has directed that, in addition to the NDRF teams already deployed in West Bengal and Odisha, more teams should be on standby, ready to mobilise. He also instructed the Indian Coast Guard to deploy its assets for any emergencies and called for heightened vigilance from Ports, Railways, and Highways to prevent any untoward incidents.
- Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee took to X and posted, "Stay home and stay safe. We are there for you, today and always. This storm shall pass too."
Stay home and stay safe. We are there for you, today and always. This storm shall pass too.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 26, 2024 - Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has made adequate deployment to help people affected by the cyclone. "In the wake of the landfall of Cyclone Remal, spoke to concerned officials. Adequate deployment of NDRF has been made in all the areas where the cyclone may have an impact. People are being evacuated to safer areas, and the disaster response agencies are working on a war footing to ensure that lives and properties are protected. The Modi government is committed to achieving minimum casualties in disasters," he wrote on X.
In the wake of the landfall of Cyclone Remal, spoke to concerned officials. Adequate deployment of NDRF has been made in all the areas where the cyclone may have an impact. People are being evacuated to safer areas, and the disaster response agencies are working on a war footing…
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) May 26, 2024 - By 3 pm, the West Bengal government had evacuated approximately 1.10 lakh people from coastal and vulnerable areas, moving them to cyclone shelters, schools, and colleges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the response and preparedness for Cyclone Remal, news agency PTI reported.
- Fourteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across South Bengal districts, including Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, and Hooghly. The state government has also readied SDRF teams and is working with teams from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). Relief materials, including dry food and tarpaulins, have been dispatched to coastal areas, with quick response teams comprising trained civil defence volunteers already in place.
- NDRF officials were seen removing fallen trees from roads in South 24 Parganas' Gangasagar village as Cyclone Remal landfall brought heavy rains and gusty winds to West Bengal. Similar scenes were witnessed in Kolkata.
VIDEO | NDRF officials remove fallen trees from roads in South 24 Parganas' Gangasagar village as Cyclone Remal makes landfall in West Bengal.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 26, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/EIfDhcnlxC#WATCH | West Bengal: Heavy rain and gusty winds lash Kolkata; visuals from Kalighat.
— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2024
As per IMD, Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) “Remal” over the North Bay of Bengal about 110 km east of Sagar Islands (West Bengal),to move nearly northwards and cross Bangladesh and adjoining WB… pic.twitter.com/4PWmLVnOp0 - Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose emphasised the importance of safety for residents in the coastal regions, urging adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cyclones. He chaired an emergency review meeting on ‘Cyclone Remal’.
“As you know Cyclone Remal is expected any time. Bulletins are being issued from time to time and the whole of West Bengal is prepared. As far as the Raj Bhavan is concerned, the Raj Bhavan is ready not only by setting up the task force but also willing to receive people if needed and accommodate them. My staff will always be there throughout the night to help you. Feel free to contact them. We will certainly brave the crisis and overcome it,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
State Minister Akhil Giri stated, "Our experience in tackling Cyclone Amphan and Cyclone Yaas will be put to good use."VIDEO | West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose chaired an emergency review meeting on ‘Cyclone Remal’.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 26, 2024
“As you know Cyclone Remal is expected any time. Bulletins are being issued from time to time and the whole of West Bengal is prepared. As far as the Raj Bhavan is concerned, the… pic.twitter.com/ATsUBE022m - The cyclone has already triggered light rain and winds in areas like Digha, Kakdwip, and Jaynagar, with intensification expected on Monday. IMD's eastern regional head Somnath Dutta mentioned that from Sunday evening, districts in South Bengal would experience squally winds of 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, affecting Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and Purba Medinipur, PTI reported. This is expected to increase to gale wind speeds of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph. ALSO READ | Cyclone Remal Update: West Bengal Police Set Up Special Helpline Number; Weather Alert Issued For Monday, Tuesday
Dutta warned that surface wind speeds in coastal areas of West Bengal could reach 100-120 kmph, gusting to 135 kmph from Sunday evening to Monday morning. However, he noted that the damage from 'Remal' would be less severe compared to the destruction caused by Super Cyclone Amphan in 2020. - The IMD has warned of localised flooding and major damage to vulnerable structures, power and communication lines, kutcha roads, crops, and orchards in the South and North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal. Residents in affected areas are advised to remain indoors and avoid vulnerable structures.
- Cyclone Remal has led to significant disruptions in air, rail, and road transportation in Kolkata and other parts of South Bengal. Eastern and South Eastern Railways have cancelled some trains on Sunday and Monday. Kolkata Airport authorities have suspended flight operations for 21 hours from Sunday noon, affecting 394 flights in both international and domestic sectors. The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata has also suspended cargo and container handling operations for 12 hours from Sunday evening in response to the cyclone forecast. Kolkata Airport Looks Deserted As Cyclone Remal Forces 21-Hour Suspension Of Flights — IN PICS
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has taken measures to ensure no loss of life or property at sea. Remote operating stations at Haldia and Paradip are alerting fishing vessels and merchant ships through VHF broadcasts. Additionally, nine disaster relief teams are on standby at Haldia, Fraserganj in West Bengal, and Paradip and Gopalpur in Odisha to respond to emergencies.
- The Indian Navy has readied two ships equipped with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and medical supplies for immediate deployment. Indian Naval aviation assets, including Sea King and Chetak helicopters as well as Dornier aircraft, are on standby for rapid response. Specialised diving teams have been stationed in Kolkata to provide prompt assistance, with additional teams on standby in Visakhapatnam.
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