In its latest bulletin, the IMD said the well-marked low-pressure area concentrated into depression over the Central Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am on Friday and is likely to move towards the northeast and intensify further into a cyclone over east-central BoB by Saturday morning — it would then be identified as Cyclone Remal.
“Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards, intensify into a severe cyclone by 25 evening. Continuing to move nearly northward, it is very likely to cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara around 26th May midnight as a severe cyclonic storm,” said the bulletin.
On Friday, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram are likely to witness thunderstorms with lightning accompanied by rain, according to the IMD.
From Saturday, IMD issued a yellow (watch) alert for thunderstorms and gusty wind speeds reaching 30-40 kmph with light to moderate rain in most of the parts. Heavy rain (7-11 cm) is likely to occur at one or two places in East Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas, the weather bureau has said.
IMD issued a red or take-action alert for fishermen for Friday. “Squally weather with gusty surface wind speed exceeding 45 kmph very likely along and off West Bengal coast from Friday and due to this, Sea conditions Rough to very rough over central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal from Thursday and over North Bay of Bengal from Friday evening”.
“Fishermen are advised not to venture into the south Bay of Bengal till Friday, central Bay of Bengal till Saturday and North Bay of Bengal from Friday onwards till the morning of Monday. Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast,” it said.
Meanwhile, while Kolkata recorded 34.8 degree Celsius on Thursday with maximum humidity touching 98 per cent with a partly cloudy sky, the Northern part of Bengal saw light rain.
For Friday, IMD has said dry weather is expected in Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda. Thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty wind (30-40kmph) are likely to prevail in all the districts of North Bengal from Sunday. Heavy rain might accompany it in some places.