New Delhi: Cyclone ‘Remal’ has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is likely to make landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh by Sunday night, the Meteorological Department said. This is the first cyclone to hit the Bay of Bengal in the pre-monsoon season.
According to the updated information released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) at 8 am on Sunday, ‘Remal’ has turned into a severe cyclonic storm over North Bay of Bengal and is centered about 290 km south-southeast of Khepupara and 270 km south-southeast of Sagar Island. IMD said that it is expected to intensify further and cross West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara at midnight.
It predicted that the winds will blow at a speed of 110 to 120 kmph and their speed will be up to 135 kmph. According to other weather models, the cyclone may reach the coast by late evening. The weather office has issued a warning of extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and North Odisha on Sunday. Some parts of Northeast India may also receive extremely heavy rainfall on 27-28 May. (Agency)
