Cyclone Remal: Cyclone Remal is going to hit West Bengal today, know how much danger there is and what are the preparations.

North Odisha coastal districts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Kendrapara will receive heavy rainfall on May 26-27, while Mayurbhanj is likely to receive heavy rainfall on May 27.

Those living near the coast have been advised to prepare as per the weather forecast and remain indoors till May 27. The IMD has also warned of localised flooding, damage to power lines, crops and orchards on May 26 and 27.

The alert issued by the Meteorological Department (IMD) said, 'The depression over east-central Bay of Bengal has moved northeast at a speed of 15 kmph during the last 6 hours. It has turned into a deep depression. It was centered at 5:30 am, about 380 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and 530 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal).'

Danger of trees being uprooted and thatched houses being blown away
The IMD report has predicted heavy damage to kutcha houses, crops, uprooting of trees and flooding of low-lying areas in the North and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal. The threat of this severe cyclone can cause heavy damage to power and communication lines.

A day earlier on Friday, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba regarding preparations to deal with the cyclone. Assuring the West Bengal government, the Cabinet Secretary said that all central agencies are on full alert to deal with this situation and will be available for assistance.

12 teams of NDRF deployed
Due to this, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 12 teams, while five additional teams have been kept on standby. Rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard, as well as ships and aircraft, have also been kept ready.

Regular alerts as well as advisories are being issued by the Director General of Shipping at Kolkata and Paradip ports. Also, emergency teams have been deployed by the Ministry of Power for immediate restoration of power.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that all necessary preventive and precautionary measures should be taken by the State Government and Central agencies. The aim should be to keep loss of life and property to zero and to minimise damage to property and infrastructure such as power and telecommunication. Also, in case of damage, essential services should be restored in the shortest possible time.

He said that it should be ensured that fishermen are called back to the sea and people are evacuated from sensitive areas in time. He has asked the West Bengal government to review the installation of large hoardings in areas likely to be affected by the cyclone.

(With inputs from Bhasha and IANS)