BMD issues alert as Cyclone Remal develops in Bay of Bengal
The low-pressure area over the southwestern Bay of Bengal has intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area and is likely to develop further into a cyclonic storm, said a notice by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today (23 May).
A weather alert has been issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) as a low-pressure system in the southwest and west central Bay of Bengal gains strength, potentially developing into Cyclone Remal by Saturday.
The system, currently moving northeastward, is expected to transform into a depression by early Friday. By Saturday, it could escalate into Cyclone Remal, bringing intense winds and heavy rainfall to the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal by Sunday evening.
Both the BMD and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) have provided forecasts indicating the likelihood of this cyclonic formation.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The BMD issued a notice today, highlighting the intensification of the low-pressure system into a well-marked one, with the potential to evolve into a cyclonic storm.
Consequently, precautions have been advised, with fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal and deep sea instructed to return to the coast and avoid venturing into deeper waters.
BMD Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Hoque told The Business Standard, "The low-pressure area at sea could become a depression by Friday morning, possibly evolving into a cyclone on Saturday. However, its exact path remains uncertain for now. We'll have a clearer picture once it becomes a depression."
He added, "As the depression nears the coast, rainfall across the country is likely to intensify. Nonetheless, most parts of the country should expect sunny weather on Friday, except for coastal areas. Rainfall is expected in various parts of the country starting from Saturday."
Today, the IMD released a map outlining Cyclone Remal's projected path, with the centre expected to make landfall directly over Barishal division. Leftward and rightward impacts are anticipated for the Khulna and Chattogram divisions respectively.
The IMD said, "The cyclone is likely to continue moving northeastward and become a depression over the central parts of the Bay of Bengal by Friday morning. It is expected to further intensify into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal by Saturday morning.
"Subsequently, it will likely move northward and approach the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal by Sunday evening as a severe cyclonic storm."
Mostofa Kamal Palash, a meteorology and climate PhD researcher, told TBS, "The cyclone's eye might pass directly over Barguna, Patuakhali, and Bhola districts. At landfall, wind speeds could average between 100 and 120km/hour, with gusts reaching up to 140 km/hour.
"Coastal regions in Barishal division could experience storm surges ranging from 5ft to 10ft above normal levels."
He added, "From Sunday to Monday, areas in Barishal division might receive rainfall between 400mm and 600mm, while Khulna and Chattogram divisions may experience 300mm to 400mm of rainfall. Dhaka division could expect 250mm to 350mm of rain.
