Cyclonic Storm to form in BoB by May 26, Expected to Reach WB and Bangladesh Coasts: IMD

Bhubaneswar: A cyclonic storm developing in the Bay of Bengal is projected to approach the coasts of West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh on May 26 as a severe cyclone, according to IMD meteorologist Umashankar Das.

A well-marked low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal is moving northeastwards and is expected to concentrate into a depression over the central parts of the Bay of Bengal by the morning of May 24. The system is then likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of May 25.

By the evening of May 26, the cyclone is anticipated to move nearly northwards, reaching near the Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts as a severe cyclonic storm.

If it develops into a cyclone, it will be named “Remal,” meaning ‘sand’ in Arabic. The system is not expected to have any direct impact on Odisha. However, there is a forecast for light to moderate rainfall in many areas, with heavy rainfall at isolated places in Balasore district from May 25 to 27.

Wind Warnings
May 23: Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, over the central and adjoining South Bay of Bengal.

May 24: Wind speeds are expected to increase to 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, over the central Bay of Bengal.

May 25: Gale winds reaching 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, will extend to the north Bay of Bengal.

May 26: Wind speeds will further increase, with 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph over the north Bay of Bengal and 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph over the adjoining central Bay of Bengal.
Squally winds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely along and off the adjoining north Odisha coasts from the evening of May 25.

Advisory for Fishermen
Fishermen are advised to avoid the south Bay of Bengal until May 24, the central Bay of Bengal until May 26, and the north Bay of Bengal from May 24 onwards until the morning of May 27. Those currently at sea are urged to return to the coast immediately.