Cyclone Remal to make landfall around midnight tonight

The deep depression over east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay moved northwards, and intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Remal’. The Cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ is likely to hit southern districts of Bangladesh by this evening, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts or squalls. The sea will remain very rough near the cyclone centre.

Bangladesh maritime ports Payra and Mongla have been advised to hoist danger signals, no. Seven (R). While maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram have been advised to hoist danger signal no. Six (r) six.

As the cyclonic storm is approaching the coastal regions of Bangladesh, much of the southern parts may witness rainfall, said the Met Office.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

India Meteorological Department IMD has said that Cyclonic Storm Remal over the North Bay of Bengal has intensified to a Severe Cyclonic Storm about 270 kilometres South South-East of Sagar Islands in West Bengal. IMD said it will move northwards, intensify further and cross Bangladesh and adjacent West Bengal coasts by midnight today as Severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 110 to 120 kilometres per hour gusting to 135 kmph. Meanwhile, the authorities of Kolkata airport have decided to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from this noon in view of the possible impact of the cyclone.

According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesperson, a total of 394 flights, arrival and departure, in both international and domestic sectors would not operate during the flight suspension period.