Cyclone Remal to touch ground today, reach 110 to 135 km/h faster; alert issued

KOLKATA: Cyclone 'Remal' formed in Bay of Bengal will make landfall today. It will reach at a speed of 110 to 135 kmph. It is reported to make landfall on the Bangladesh-West Bengal coast between Sagar Island and Khepupara. Due to this, alert has been issued in the states of West Bengal and Odisha. The Meteorological Center informed that there is a possibility of heavy rain in West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh. The strength of Cyclone Remal will decrease by next day. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to go fishing until further notice.

It is clear that cyclone Remal will not pose a significant threat to Kerala. However, there is a possibility of isolated rain in north-eastern states as well. Thiruvananthapuram is experiencing isolated heavy rain at many places. Meantime, the extreme low pressure over the central East Bay of Bengal is intensifying into a very extremely low pressure. There is a possibility of strengthening again and becoming a cyclone in the next 12 hours.

As the cyclone formed along the coast of Kerala weakened, there was less rain in the state yesterday. It is predicted that there will be isolated rain till Tuesday. Meanwhile, one more person died in the rains yesterday. The body of Anish (46), a native of Kumarakom, who went missing after falling into the water from a houseboat at Kottayam Arpookara Kaipuzhamuttu on Friday morning, was found yesterday.

Yellow alert has been issued in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam.

The central meteorological department informed that there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thundershowers at isolated places in Ernakulam during the next three hours and strong winds with a speed of up to 40 kmph. There is a warning that there is possibility of light rain to lash at isolated places in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thrissur.

The National Center for Oceanography and Oceanography (INCOIS) yesterday informed that there is a possibility of high waves of 2.9 to 3.1 meters along the southern Tamil Nadu coast (Kulachal to Kilakarai) till 11.30 tonight. The warning stated that there is a possibility of high waves of 2.9 to 3.1 meters along the North Tamil Nadu coast (Point Calimere Beach to Pulicat) till 11.30 tonight.