Remal lashes Bengal coast with speed of 135 kmph, destroys houses, trees uprooted

KOLKATA: Cyclone Remal, which formed in the Bay of Bengal, made landfall last night. The cyclone made landfall around 8.30 pm between Sagar Islands in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh. The wind speed of 135 km per hour caused havoc.

Remal advanced by causing heavy floods in houses along the coast of Bengal and submerging agricultural farms. Many houses were destroyed. Trees were uprooted and there were heavy damages. Electric posts were knocked down. One was injured in Gosaba region of Sundarbans.

The government had made huge preparations in anticipation of the cyclone's arrival. One lakh people weren evacuated to safe places in West Bengal. Heavy waves hit the coastal town of Digha. Meanwhile, one person was injured in Kolkata after a wall collapsed due to heavy rain. South 24 Parganas and South Midnapore districts also suffered damage due to heavy rain and wind.

Reports said the strength of cyclone Remal will decrease by tomorrow. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to go fishing in the area until further notice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had the other day held a special meeting to assess the situation. The West Bengal government also took steps. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked everyone to stay safe at home.

Meantime, cyclone Remal is not a threat to Kerala. There is no heavy rain warning in any districts today. However, yellow alert has been announced n Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki on May 29.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Center has informed that there is a possibility of 1.0 to 2.4 meter high waves and storm surge along the Kerala coast today from 02.30 pm to 11.30 pm and its speed is likely to vary between 45 cm and 71 cm per second.

The National Center for Oceanography and Research informed that the south Tamil Nadu coast (Kulachal to Kilakarie) is likely to experience a high wave of 2.8 to 3.1 meters and a storm surge with a speed of between 50 cms and 81 cms till 11.30 tonight. Fishermen and coastal residents have been asked to be on alert.