Severe Cyclonic storm 'Remal' continues to move "northward"

After making landfall over coastal areas of West Bengal and Bangladesh severe Cyclonic storm Remal would continue to move nearly northwards for some more time and then northnortheastwards and weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm as per the India Meteorological Department IMD on MondayThe cyclone moved northwards and crossed the Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal Coasts between Sagar Islands and Khepupara close to southwest of Mongla said IMDThe Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal over the North Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards with a speed of 13 kmph during past 06 hours crossed Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal Coasts between Sagar Islands and Khepupara close to southwest of Mongla near Latitude 2175degN and Longitude 892degE between 2230 hrs IST of 26th May to 0030 hrs IST of 27th May 2024 as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed of 110 to 120 Kmph gusting to 135 Kmph said IMD in a post on XIt lay centered at 0130 hrs IST of today the 27th May 2024 over Coastal Bangladesh and adjoining Coastal West Bengal near latitude 219degN and longitude 892degE about 115 km east of Sagar Islands West Bengal 105 km westsouthwest of Khepupara Bangladesh 70 km southeast of Canning West Bengal and SO km southsouthwest of Mongla Bangladesh The system would continue to move nearly northwards for some more time and then northnortheastwards and weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm by morning of 27 added the postThe Kolkata Municipality and Kolkata Police Disaster Management teams are engaged in clearing uprooted trees in the cityMorning visuals show heavy rains and gusty winds lashed the South 24 Parganas district and KolkataMeanwhile a day after Cyclone Remal tore through the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal with devastating winds reaching speeds of 135 kilometres per hour scenes of widespread devastation were evident across West Bengals coastal areas with extensive damage to infrastructure and propertyThe cyclone ravaged adjacent coasts of the state and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara near the southwest of Mongla in the neighbouring country after its landfall process began at 830 pm on SundayRemal left a trail of destruction in its wake Roofs of thatched huts were blown away trees uprooted and electric poles knocked down causing significant disruption in various parts of the state including KolkataEfforts to restore normality are underway with emergency services working to clear debris and restore power in the affected areas However the continuous heavy rain is hampering these operations in most of the affected areas officials saidThe full extent of the damage is still being assessed but initial reports suggest that it will take considerable time and effort to recover from this natural disasterThe state government has initiated relief operations providing food drinking water and medical assistance to the people affectedThe authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and take necessary precautions as the heavy rain persistsThe India Meteorological Department said the severe cyclonic storm crossed Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Islands and Khepupara close to southwest of Mongla between 1030 pm of May 26 and 1230 am on May 27With inputs from Agencies