New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a severe cyclonic storm named Remal to hit the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal by Sunday evening. This will be the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this pre-monsoon season.
Remal is expected to intensify rapidly, concentrating into a depression by Friday morning and further into a cyclonic storm by Saturday. By Sunday evening, it will reach the coasts above as a severe storm, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds.
The IMD warns of very heavy rainfall in coastal districts of West Bengal, North Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura, and South Manipur on May 26th and 27th. Wind speeds are expected to reach up to 102 kilometers per hour. Fishermen have been advised to return to the coast and avoid venturing into the Bay of Bengal until May 27th.
Experts attribute the rapid development of cyclones to warmer sea surface temperatures, which are conducive to increased moisture and storm intensification. The Bay of Bengal’s current sea surface temperature is at a 30-year high, exceeding the 27°C threshold required for cyclone formation.
While the cyclone is not expected to impact the overall monsoon progress significantly, it may cause a slight delay in some areas as it initially interacts with the monsoon circulation before drawing in significant moisture.
