A cyclonic system has been accumulating power in the Bay of Bengal and is likely to cross Bangladesh and adjoining India’s West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara around Sunday midnight as a severe cyclonic storm.

Storm surges of about 1.0 metre above astronomical tide are likely to inundate low lying coastal areas in West Bengal and of 1.0-1.5 metre in Bangladesh at the time of its landfall, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The depression over the central Bay of Bengal moved towards north-northeast with a speed of 16 kmph during past 6 hours and laid centred over East-central Bay of Bengal, about 700 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh) and about 660 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal) on Friday noon, according to IMD.  

“It is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over east-central Bay of Bengal by Saturday morning. Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards, intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Saturday night,” according to IMD.

If the cyclonic storm is formed then it will be named “Remal”, a name given by Oman.

The depression over east-central bay and adjoining west-central bay moved towards northeast over the same area was about 805 km southwest of Chattogram port, 740 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 765 km south of Mongla port and 730 km south of Payra port at 12:00pm on Friday, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

It is likely to intensify and move towards the northeast further, said Hafizur Rahman, meteorologist of BMD.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 44 km of the depression centre is about 40 kmph rising to 50 kmph in gusts or squalls and sea will remain moderate near the depression centre, he said.

Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant cautionary signal-1.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

The squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal on Friday. It would become 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over the central Bay of Bengal on Friday evening.

It would extend to adjoining areas of North Bay of Bengal with gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from 25 May morning. It would further increase, becoming 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph over North Bay of Bengal from morning and 110-120 kmph gusting to 120 kmph from evening of 26 May.

Gale wind speed reaching 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph is likely over adjoining central Bay of Bengal from 26 May morning for the subsequent 24 hours, predicted the IMD.

BDST: 1135 HRS, MAY 25, 2024
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