Cyclone Remal makes landfall at 135 kmph speed, leaves trail of destruction

The Severe Cyclonic Storm “Remal” (pronounced as “Re-Mal”) made landfall between the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal between Sagar Islands and Khepupara close to southwest of Mongla as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 110 to 120 Kmph gusting to 135 Kmph, IMD reported.

Gigantic tidal waves were seen crashing into a seawall in the coastal resort town of Digha. Over one lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable areas in West Bengal before the cyclone struck, reports said.

IMD on Monday informed that the Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) “Remal” lay centered at 0430 hrs IST today over Coastal Bangladesh and adjoining Coastal West Bengal, about 130 km east-northeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), 100 km west of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 65 km east of Canning (West Bengal) and 50km southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh).

The system is likely to move north-northeastwards and gradually weaken into a Cyclonic Storm during the next three hours. Thereafter, it would move northeastward and gradually weaken further, said IMD.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting at his residence here with senior officials to review response and preparedness for Cyclone Remal.