A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify and reach Bangladesh and adjoining India’s West Bengal coasts as a severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow (Sunday) evening. The cyclone is named “Remal”, according to a system of naming cyclones in the Indian Ocean region.
This is the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this pre-monsoon season, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD said the system will concentrate into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal by Friday morning. It will further intensify into a cyclonic storm today (Saturday) morning and reach Bangladesh and the adjoining India’s West Bengal coast as a severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow evening.
According to the IMD, the cyclone could reach a wind speed of 102 kilometres per hour tomorrow. The IMD has warned of very heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of India's West Bengal, north Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura and south Manipur tomorrow and Monday.
Therefore, government should fully be prepared to face the possible severe cyclonic storm ‘Remal’. All government officials including deputy commissioners upazila nirbahi officers, upazila and union parishad chairmen, members and volunteers of different organisations, including Red Crescent Society, must take all out preparations in advance in the coastal belts.
Besides, local lawmakers will also have to work hard to protect the people and their property at the respective constituencies from the possible impact of the storm. The ministry of disaster management and relief will also have to maintain constant communication with local administration and potentially vulnerable districts in order to take preparation in advance.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 44 km of the depression centre is about 40 kph rising to 50 kph in gusts or squalls; the sea will remain moderate near the depression centre, it reads. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist distant cautionary signal no-1, according to the BMD bulletin.
The cyclone could reach
a wind speed of 102
kilometres per hour tomorrow.
All fishing boats and trawlers over north the 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 low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven tidal surge under the perepheral effect of the cyclone.A flash flood is likely to occur in a few places of the south-western region of the country.
The ministries concerned will have to continuously carrying out strict surveillance on the cyclone ‘Remal’ and they must continue till the termination of the disaster after landing on the coast.
Besides, they must move the people to the flood shelter centres. All the flood shelter centres will also have to be kept ready. A large number of people lost their lives during different types of severe cyclonic storm like Sidr, Aila and Amphan over the last few years as they did not pay heed to government’s request to go to safer places.
People must remain cautious and aware to reduce risks of natural calamities as cyclone is approaching nearer.
Besides, as the coastal people are vulnerable to disasters, an integrated coordination among government and nongovernment agencies is a must in this regard. We think as the early warning system has been developed, people living in coastal areas before, during and after can protect their lives and property from cyclonic storm ‘Remal” if they remain alert abiding by all instructions.
