Cyclone Remal: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday warned of a potential severe cyclonic storm that could hit the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh in the next two days. If the cyclone is formed, it will be named 'Remal', according to a system of naming cyclones in the Indian Ocean region. Cyclone 'Remal' will be the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this pre-monsoon season.
This comes after the IMD issued a yellow or watch alert for several districts of West Bengal along with a red alert for fishermen in the state for the day, as per an Indian Express report.
As per the latest update issued by the IMD, the depression is likely to continue to move northeastward and intensify into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal by May 25 morning.
The weather office also said that the depression over the central Bay of Bengal moved with a speed of 20kmp during the past 3 hours and is about 730 km south-southwest of Khepupara and 750 km south of Canning.
“Subsequently, it would move nearly northward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the 25th night. Continuing to move nearly northward, it is likely to cross Bangladesh and adj West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara around 26th May midnight as a severe cyclonic storm,” the IMD further said.