A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal will be as formidable as Cyclone Aila. Distress signal No. 7 has been hoisted in Mongla and Payra seaports and No. 6 in Chattogram and Cox's Bazar seaports after taking shape in Remal.
It is likely to start hitting coastal and adjoining areas of West Bengal and Bangladesh coast from midnight today. After that, accumulating energy, the sea of West Bengal will crash between the island and Khepupara of Bangladesh.
At this time, the storm can blow at a maximum speed of 135 km per hour in the coastal area. Cyclone impacts may inundate coastal areas with wind-driven tides in excess of 5 feet.
At the same time, heavy to very heavy rains are likely to occur in eight divisions of the country under the influence of Cyclone Remal, the Meteorological Office said.
According to the weather forecast till 6 pm on Sunday, there may be moderate to heavy rain or thunder with temporary gusty winds in most parts of Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and in many parts of Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions. Also, there may be heavy to very heavy rainfall in the southern part of the country. Elsewhere in the country, the weather will be mainly dry with partly cloudy skies.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT) said that the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Remal at 7:10 pm.
According to the BWOT, Cyclone Remal is likely to cross the coast between the night of May 26 and the morning of May 27 as a maximum Category-1 storm.
A message signed by BWOT Chief Meteorologist Khalid Hossain said the cyclone would cross the coast anywhere between Digha in India's West Bengal and Patuakhali in Bangladesh. However, Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat in Bangladesh are at the highest risk.
It is also said that the maximum strength of this cyclone may be Category-1. But it is expected that it will not get a speed of more than 135 km per hour. But the fear is that it could cross the coast in full force.
Meanwhile, the Meteorologist Azizur Rahman said that Cyclone Remal may turn into a 'Severe Cyclone'. At a speed of 110 to 120 km, it can become very strong and hit the coastal areas of the country.