Kolkata/Bhubaneswar: A tense wait grips the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh as severe cyclonic storm Remal hurtles towards landfall tonight. With wind speeds expected to reach 110-120 kmph, gusting up to 135 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and north Odisha starting today, May 26th, and continuing into tomorrow.
Underlining the seriousness of the situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the response and preparedness measures for the cyclone. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has proactively deployed teams in the areas likely to be most affected by Remal’s fury.
West Bengal authorities have been working tirelessly to evacuate residents from vulnerable coastal areas. As of Sunday evening, over 1 lakh people had been shifted to safety in cyclone shelters, schools, and colleges. Flight operations at Kolkata airport have been suspended, and several train services have been cancelled to minimize disruptions and ensure passenger safety.
The IMD has warned of extremely heavy rainfall in coastal districts of West Bengal, with heavy to very heavy rain expected in Kolkata and surrounding areas. Residents are advised to stay indoors, stock up on essential supplies, and closely monitor weather updates from official sources.
Bangladesh is also taking necessary precautions as Remal approaches the shared coastline. Evacuation efforts are underway in vulnerable areas, and authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and follow official instructions.
