How Cyclone Remal, Likely to Hit Bengal Tonight,
26.05.2024: Cyclone Remal, named by Oman, is set to make landfall between the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh tonight, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). As a significant weather event, it has garnered considerable attention and preparation efforts. Here’s everything you need to know about Cyclone Remal, its name, and the expected impact.
Cyclone Remal to Make Landfall Tonight
The IMD has forecasted that Cyclone Remal will hit between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh on Sunday at midnight. This follows a deep depression that intensified into a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on Saturday evening. Cyclone Remal is the first cyclone of the pre-monsoon season over the Bay of Bengal.
How Cyclone Remal Got Its Name
Cyclone Remal was named by Oman, following the standard convention for naming tropical cyclones in the region. In Arabic, “Remal” means sand. The naming of tropical cyclones is managed by six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and five Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs), with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) being one of the RSMCs.
The practice of naming cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea began in 2000, as decided by the twenty-seventh session of the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC). The panel includes 13 member nations: India, Bangladesh, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Maldives, UAE, Oman, and Qatar. Cyclone naming officially commenced in September 2004, with each member nation proposing names. The IMD later released a list of 169 names, with 13 names from each member nation.
Why Are Cyclones Named?
Naming cyclones is essential for several reasons:
- Identification: It helps the scientific community, media, disaster managers, and the public to identify and track the cyclone.
- Awareness: Creates awareness about the cyclone’s development and potential impact.
- Clarity: Eliminates confusion with other tropical cyclones in the area.
- Communication: Facilitates efficient dissemination of warnings to a broader audience.
Preparations and Alerts for Cyclone Remal
To prepare for Cyclone Remal, the IMD has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the north Bay of Bengal until Monday morning. A red alert has been issued for the coastal districts of West Bengal, including South and North 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur. Additionally, Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly are also on high alert, with expectations of extremely heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday.