Cyclone Remal: PM Modi chairs meeting to review preparedness for cyclonic storm

Rains and strong winds ahead of the landfall of Cyclone `Remal` in South 24 Parganas district. Pic/PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review response and preparedness for cyclonic storm Remal, reported the PTI.

Cyclone Remal is likely to reportedly make landfall between Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts around midnight.

The severe cyclone has led to heavy rains in the coastal districts of West Bengal and in Kolkata.

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According to the PTI, PM Modi chaired the meeting to review the response and preparedness for cyclone Remal, sources said.

Cyclone Remal is very likely to move nearly northwards, intensify further and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara by Sunday midnight as a severe cyclonic storm with the maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph, the weather office said, as per the PTI.

Kolkata airport authorities have suspended flight operations for 21 hours from Sunday noon. Additionally, the Eastern and South Eastern railways cancelled several trains.

State authorities have evacuated approximately 1.10 lakh people from coastal regions, including the Sundarbans and Sagar Island, to secure shelters, a senior official said in Kolkata.

To bolster rescue and relief efforts, 16 battalions each from the state disaster management and NDRF have been deployed in the coastal areas, the official added.

Over 1 lakh shifted to shelters

Cyclonic storm Remal has intensified prompting the evacuation of over 1 lakh people from vulnerable areas of the state to safety.

Bengal's coastal areas have been put on high alert as the cyclone, accompanied by high-velocity winds, has already triggered rain in several parts of the state.

According to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin, the 'Remal' was centred 160 km south-southeast of Sagar Island at 6pm.

The cyclone, which has a maximum sustained wind speed of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, is likely to hit land between Sagar Islands in West Bengal and Khepupara near Mongla port in Bangladesh by Sunday midnight, officials said, the news agency reported on Sunday.

By 3 pm, the West Bengal government had evacuated around 1.10 lakh people from coastal and vulnerable areas and shifted them to cyclone shelters, schools, and colleges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting to review response and preparedness for cyclonic storm 'Remal'.

State minister Akhil Giri said, "Our experience in tackling Cyclone Amphan and Cyclone Yaas will be put to good use."

West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose said he is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant touch with state and central experts to ensure a coordinated response to counter it.

Bose emphasised the importance of safety for residents in the coastal regions of Bengal, urging them to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cyclones.

The cyclone has already caused light rain and winds in areas like Digha, Kakdwip, and Jaynagar, which are expected to intensify on Monday.

IMD's eastern regional head Somnath Dutta said from Sunday evening, districts in south Bengal would experience squally winds of 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, affecting Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and Purba Medinipur.

"This will gradually increase to gale wind speed, reaching 70 to 80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph," he told reporters, according to the PTI.

(with PTI inputs)