Cyclone Remal Forces Kolkata Airport to Suspend Flights for 21 Hours: Latest Updates

As Cyclone Remal approaches, authorities across the affected regions are taking decisive actions to ensure public safety. Here’s a comprehensive update on the situation and the measures being taken:

Kolkata Airport to Suspend Operations

Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport will halt flight operations for 21 hours starting from noon on Sunday due to the anticipated impact of Cyclone Remal. This decision was made following a meeting with various stakeholders. “In view of cyclone Remal’s impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, it has been decided to suspend flight operations from 1200 IST on May 26 to 0900 IST on May 27 due to predicted heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kolkata,” stated airport director C Pattabhi.

Port Operations on Hold

The Kolkata Port has also announced a suspension of all cargo and container handling operations for 12 hours from Sunday evening. Operations will be paused from 6 pm on Sunday until 6 am on Monday, as reported by the port authorities.

Cyclone Remal’s Path and Impact

First detected as a low-pressure area on May 22 in the Bay of Bengal, Cyclone Remal has intensified significantly. It is currently situated in the central Bay of Bengal and is expected to impact regions including West Bengal, Coastal Bangladesh, Tripura, and some northeastern states.

Key Updates on Cyclone Remal:

• Landfall: The cyclone is expected to make landfall around midnight on May 26 between Sagar Island in southern West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh.
• Intensity: According to the IMD, Cyclone Remal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is projected to have wind speeds of 110 to 120 km/hr, gusting up to 135 km/hr.
• Storm Surge: At landfall, the cyclone could cause a storm surge of up to 1.5 meters, potentially inundating low-lying areas of coastal West Bengal and Bangladesh.
• Evacuations: Thousands are expected to be evacuated from coastal villages in West Bengal. The IMD has issued a red warning for districts such as South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah, and East Midnapore.
• Preparedness: Approximately 115 multipurpose cyclone shelters have been built in South 24 Parganas and over 100 in North 24 Parganas to accommodate evacuees.
• Northeast India: Other northeastern states like Tripura, Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur may also experience heavy rainfall and strong winds. Tripura has issued an advisory predicting severe weather from May 25 to 28.
• Bangladesh’s Readiness: Bangladesh has prepared nearly 4,000 shelters with adequate supplies of dry food and water. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) is expected to issue a ‘great danger’ signal number 10 between 12 midnight and 1:00 am Sunday.

Safety Precautions and Advisories

Residents in the affected areas are advised to follow safety protocols and heed warnings from authorities. Key safety tips include:

• Before the Storm: Secure homes, especially roofs and windows, store sufficient food and water, and keep emergency kits ready.
• During the Storm: Stay indoors, avoid venturing out unless absolutely necessary, and keep away from windows and doors.
• After the Storm: Stay updated on weather reports, avoid flooded areas, and be cautious of fallen power lines and debris.

This cyclonic storm, named Remal (meaning sand in Arabic), marks the first cyclone of the pre-monsoon season in the Bay of Bengal. As the situation develops, continuous updates from the IMD and local authorities will be crucial for residents and officials to navigate this severe weather event safely.