Staff Reporter:
A cyclonic system brewing in the Bay of Bengal is likely to reach near the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal on May 26 (Sunday) as a severe cyclone, the Indian Meteorological Department (BMD) said on Thursday.
Various weather forecast models differ on the exact landfall point of cyclone Remal from the Bangladesh coast to the coasts of the eastern states of West Bengal and adjacent Odisha.
If it is formed then it will be named ‘Remal’, a name given by Oman.
Yesterday’s Low Pressure Area over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal moved northeastwards and lay as a well-marked low pressure area over westcentral & adjoining south Bay of Bengal at 9:00am on Thursday, according to the IMD.
It is very likely to continue to move northeastwards and concentrate into a depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by Friday morning. Thereafter, it is very likely to continue to move northeastwards, intensify further into a cyclonic storm over eastcentral Bay of Bengal by 25 May morning.
Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards and reach Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts by 26 May evening as a severe cyclonic storm, said IMD.
AKM Nazmul Haque, meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) told the Daily Sun that the system may turn into a depression on Friday and likely to intensify into a cyclone on Sunday.
“The coastal belt may witness rain before the cyclonic storm crosses the area. While ongoing heat wave may continue across the country on Friday as the cyclonic system may reduce the rainfall in the land area,” he said.
The weather office warned fishermen not to venture into the North Bay of Bengal till Sunday.
Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph prevailed over central and adjoining South Bay of Bengal on Thursday.
It would become 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over central Bay of Bengal on Friday. It would extend to adjoining areas of North Bay of Bengal with gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from 25 May morning.
It would further increase becoming 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph over north Bay of Bengal and 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph over adjoining central Bay of Bengal from 26 May morning for subsequent 24 hours.
Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely along Bangladesh, West Bengal and adjoining North Odisha coasts from 25 May evening.
