Cyclone Remal intensifies into severe cyclonic storm

The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to raise Great Danger Signal No. 10

Cyclone Remal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

The storm currently lies over the northwest Bay of Bengal and its surrounding areas.

The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been instructed to raise Great Danger Signal No. 10, while the Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar maritime ports have been advised to hoist Great Danger Signal No. 9.

Meteorologist Omar confirmed the information to bdnews24.com saying, “Cyclone Remal formed in the Bay of Bengal has turned into a severe cyclone. It is likely to make landfall in Bangladesh between this evening and midnight. The maximum wind speed will be 90 to 120 kmph in the cyclonic area.”

Meanwhile, according to the morning special notification of the Meteorological Department, the cyclone was located 400 km southwest of the Chattogram maritime port, 360 km southwest of Cox's Bazar maritime port, 330 km south of Mongla maritime port and 295 km south of Payra maritime port at 6am on Sunday.

It may move further north and cross near Mongla and make landfall off Sagar Island in West Bengal or the coast in Patuakhali’s Khepupara between Sunday evening and midnight.

Heavy rains with gusty winds have started in coastal areas.

The maximum sustained wind speed is 90 kmph within 64 km of the cyclone’s centre, increasing to 120 kmph in gust or gale form.

The sea is rough in the vicinity of the severe cyclone’s centre.

The coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali and their nearby islands and chars will be under Great Danger Signal No. 10.

The coastal districts of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their outlying islands and chars will be under Great Danger Signal No. 9.

The river ports of the Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Barguna, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Chattogram and Cox's Bazar districts have been asked to display the Great Danger Signal No. 4.

Due to the influence of severe cyclonic storm and the sharp air differential, the coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and their remote islands and low lying areas may be inundated by tidal surges 8-12 feet higher than at high tide.

Heavy (44-88mm in 24 hours) to very heavy (over 88mm in 24 hours) rainfall with gusty winds may occur over the Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions under the influence of severe cyclone.

Landslides may occur in the hilly areas of Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chattogram due to the heavy rain.

Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the north Bay of Bengal and deep sea have been asked to remain in shelter until further notice.

Cyclone Remal formed around 6pm on Saturday and preparations to handle the cyclone began in all districts across the country, including the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, and Bhola.

Shelters in these areas have been prepared. Along with this, local residents are being warned by megaphone announcements and red flag alerts.

Launch service in the coastal districts and from Dhaka’s Sadarghat have been suspended.

Meanwhile, all of Sunday’s Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights to Cox's Bazar have been cancelled. Two Kolkata flights – one on Sunday evening and the other on Monday morning - have also been cancelled.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has scheduled another meeting on Cyclone Remal on Sunday.

The last cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal was Cyclone Michaung on Dec 3, 2023. It later crossed the coast of Andhra Pradesh in India and did not have much effect on Bangladesh.

On Nov 17, Cyclone Midhili formed in the Bay of Bengal and hit the Bangladesh coast near Khepupara. Wind speeds had risen to 88 kmph. Nine people were killed in the storm, and crops and trees were damaged.