Cyclone Remal likely to hit the coasts of West Bengal, Bangladesh on May 26

This severe cyclone is named Cyclone Remal. In a press release, on Friday, the IMD department said, "The depression over the central Bay of Bengal has moved towards the northeast with a speed of 20 kmph during the past three hours. It is very likely to continue to move north-eastward and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal by May 25th. Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards, intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by May 25 and hit the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara at around 6 pm on May 26.

Earlier, on May 23, IMD scientist Dr. Somenath Dutta said, "There was a low-pressure area over the south-west Bay of Bengal near the Chennai coast yesterday. That low-pressure area started moving in the northeast direction and it intensified a bit. On May 24, it will intensify into a depression. It will intensify into a cyclonic storm on May 25... The landfall will be at midnight on May 26."

Along with rainfall alerts in West Bengal, the India Meteorological Department has also predicted isolated heavy rainfall over North Coastal Odisha on May 25 and 26. It has also predicted light to moderate rainfall at most places in the eastern districts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal on May 27 and 28.

Apart from West Bengal, the IMD has forecasted moderate rainfall in various districts of Kerala,

including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram on Friday. Light rainfall is anticipated in the remaining districts of Kerala.

According to the latest update from the authority, "Moderate rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram districts, while light rainfall is likely at one or two places in all other districts of Kerala."

In the meantime, Thiruvananthapuram has been experiencing heavy rainfall for the past several days, leading to significant surges in local rivers and raising concerns of potential flooding. The city has been dealing with waterlogging due to continuous downpours since May 18. (ANI)