The cyclonic storm 'REMAL' has intensified further to become a severe cyclonic storm over north Bay of Bengal (BoB). The storm is centered around 19.7 degree North and 89.2 degree East, at 8.30 a.m today. The storm is about 350 km south of Kolkata and 250 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands. The cyclone has moved nearly northward and will continue on this track, almost till striking the coast, late tonight.
The tropical storm is consolidating and has improved organization in the past 12 hours. The circular cloud bands are tightly wrapped around the broad low level cyclonic circulation, with a decent outflow. The cyclone is sailing under favourable environmental conditions. The sea surface temperature is fairly high at 30-31 degree and vertical wind shear is moderate. Coastline is still far away and therefore, the storm will keep becoming stronger.
The cyclone is likely to make landfall, as severe cyclonic storm, late tonight, very close to the borderline between West Bengal and Bangladesh. Coastline of Gangetic West Bengal will start experiencing strong winds of 60-70kmh, commencing late afternoon. Intensity will increase further towards evening and night, wherein persistent gale speed winds in excess of 80-90 kmh are likely. At the time of storm closing in the coastline, wind speed is likely to increase up to 100 kmh and gusting to 120-130 kmh. Since the landfall will be close to the warm Delta area, the storm may not weaken rapidly after crossing the coast. Adverse weather conditions are likely for Contai, Digha, Diamond Harbour, Sagar Islands, Sunderban Delta. Inclement weather conditions of strong winds and heavy rains are likely over East Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata and South 24 Pargana. These conditions will continue till next day morning, 27th May 2024.
Further , the storm will move more of northeastward and reach northeast India, across Bangladesh, as a weakened system. However, the spread and intensity will still be large, more so, for Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. Northeastern states can expect bad weather conditions for over 48 hours.