AMN/ WEB DESK
Cyclonic storm Remal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. It will make landfall between West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts around midnight tonight. Named by Oman, Remal, meaning sand in Arabic, is the first cyclone over the Bay of Bengal in this pre-monsoon season.
India Meteorological Department has warned of extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and heavy to very heavy rainfall in north Odisha today and tomorrow owing to the weather system. Extremely heavy precipitation is also likely in Assam and Meghalaya, and heavy to very heavy rains in the other northeastern states of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura, IMD said.
Meanwhile, the authorities of Kolkata airport have decided to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from today noon in view of the possible impact of cyclone Remal. A total of 394 flights, arrival and departure, in both international and domestic sectors will not operate to and fro the airport during the flight suspension period.
The administration has taken all necessary measures to save lives and property damages. Our North 24 Parganas district correspondent has informed that two NDRF teams have arrived at the Hasnabad and Hingalganj blocks of the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The areas are prone to be affected by this cyclone.
Our correspondent from South 24 Parganas district of West has informed that heavy rain has started in Sunderban and villagers from adjoining areas have been shifted to flood centres. High sea waves have started to be seen in the Sea and adjoining creeks at present in Sunderban.
The administration of South 24 Parganas district has cancelled hotel bookings in the Bakkhali, Gangasagar, Freserganj, and Mausuni areas. Sea Beach has been closed to tourists. As a precautionary measure, the Eastern Railway suspended train services in the Sealdah South section and Barasat-Hasnabad section of the Sealdah division from 11 pm to 6 am Monday, cancelling several EMU local trains, according to an official.