Cyclone Remal

Cyclone Remal: What You Need to Know

    Cyclone Remal, the first pre-monsoon cyclone of 2024, is currently forming over the Bay of Bengal. Here are the key details about this weather phenomenon:

1. Name Origin

    The name “Remal” was suggested by Oman and means “sand” in Arabic1. It’s an apt name considering the cyclone’s potential impact.

2. Expected Landfall

    According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Remal is likely to cross the coast between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh around midnight tonight (May 26)2. The cyclone is expected to bring very heavy rain to several districts in West Bengal, including South and North 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly. Additionally, north Odisha may also experience its effects on May 26 and 27.

3. Wind Speeds and Intensity

    Cyclone Remal is anticipated to generate wind speeds of 110-120 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 135 kmph2. As a tropical cyclone, it falls into the category of storms that rotate around the center of a low-pressure area. In the Northern Hemisphere, these winds rotate anticlockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they rotate clockwise.

4. Types of Cyclones

    The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) classifies cyclones into two main categories:

    a. Extratropical Cyclones

        Also known as mid-latitude cyclones, these occur outside the tropics.

        They have cold air at their core and derive energy from the interaction between cold and warm air masses.

        Extratropical cyclones can occur over land or ocean and always involve one or more fronts (boundary between different air masses)

    b. Tropical Cyclones

        These cyclones develop in the regions between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer.

        Tropical cyclones are the most devastating storms on Earth.

        They form when thunderstorm activity builds close to the center of circulation, and the strongest winds and rain are no longer in a distant band from the center.

Conclusion

As Cyclone Remal approaches, it’s crucial to stay informed and take necessary precautions. Follow local authorities’ guidelines and keep an eye on weather updates to ensure safety for yourself and your community.