Ready for Remal, say Odisha officials; rains in state could play spoilsport during campaigning for last polling phase

The Odisha government is making preparations to meet any eventuality as its northern parts are likely to witness heavy rainfall under the impact of the anticipated first pre-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2024, Remal, officials have told Down To Earth (DTE).

Fishers have been advised not to venture into the south Bay of Bengal till May 24 as well as central and north Bay of Bengal till May 26 and 27. Those who are at sea, have been advised to return to the coast as there will be rough conditions during the period, said a senior government officer.

Sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough over the north Bay of Bengal from May 24 evening, as predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), he said.

Tidal depth would become high over the central Bay of Bengal from May 25 morning and high to very high over the north Bay of Bengal from May 25 evening till May 27 morning, as predicted by the weather agency.

“We have alerted district administrations about the locations where there is likely to be heavy rain under the influence of the cyclonic storm, as predicted by meteorologists,” said a Special Relief Commission official.

Odisha should not be worried much, as the IMD has already said Remal would not have impact much on the state, except heavy to very heavy rainfall in the northern part of the state. Despite that, we are prepared to meet any eventuality, the official added.

Political leaders are, however, worried over the possibility of rain due to the cyclonic storm. It will likely play spoilsport during election campaigning in north Odisha constituencies, which go to the polls on June 1. Balasore, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur Lok Sabha constituencies, as well 42 assembly segments under these Lok Sabha seats, will vote on that day.

According to IMD, the well-marked low pressure concentrated into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal at 5.30 AM on May 24.

The weather agency, in its morning bulletin, said it is likely to move northeastwards and intensify further into a cyclone over east-central Bay of Bengal by May 25 morning.

Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards, intensifying into a severe cyclone by May 25 evening. It is very likely to cross Bangladesh and the adjoining West Bengal coast between Sagar Island and Khepupara around May 26 midnight as a severe cyclonic storm.

The cyclonic storm will be the first during this pre-monsoon season. It will be named as Remal, meaning ‘sand’ in Arabic. The name has been suggested by Oman.

Light to moderate rainfall at most places, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places, is likely to occur over the coastal districts of West Bengal and adjoining districts of north Odisha on May 26-27. Light to moderate rainfall at most places, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places may also occur over Mizoram, Tripura and south Manipur during this period, IMD predicted in its morning bulletin.

Umashankar Dash, senior scientist of the IMD’s regional center in Bhubaneswar, said light to moderate rain and thundershower is likely to lash north and south Odisha from May 25 under Remal’s influence and a yellow warning has been issued to districts.

The yellow warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) has been issued for isolated places in Balasore on May 26. Heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) may also occur at isolated places in Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts, he said. On May 27, heavy rainfall (7 to 11 cm) is likely to be witnessed at isolated places in Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts, he said.

The IMD’s regional center also predicted that squally winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph and gusting to 60 kmph is likely along and off Bangladesh, West Bengal and the adjoining north Odisha coast from May 25 evening.

The much-needed rain will not only give respite from the searing heat but will also be a boon for farmers, said Bhairab Nayak, a retired agriculture officer. He said the rain would help farmers to prepare land for Kharif cultivation.

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