The landfall process of severe Cyclonic Storm 'Remal' started over the coastal areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

IMD said the cyclone is very likely to cross Bangladesh & adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara, close to southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh) by midnight with a maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph.

Remal is the first pre-monsoon cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this season.

Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is likely over coastal districts of West Bengal and eastern districts of Gangetic West Bengal adjacent to Bangladesh on May 26 and 27 with isolated extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 20 cm) over these districts.

The peak rainfall activity is likely during noon of May 26 to noon of May 27.

"Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places likely over eastern districts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal on 27th and 28th May," IMD said.

In Odisha, light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy rainfall likely over North Coastal region of the state on May 26.

Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely over Mizoram, Tripura and South Manipur on 26th and over Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur & Tripura on May 27 and May 28.

"Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph is likely to prevail over central Bay of Bengal till noon and decrease becoming Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph till morning of 27th May," IMD said.

Gale wind speed reaching 95-105 kmph gusting to 115 kmph prevailing over North Bay of Bengal is likely to increase becoming 100-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph from noon till midnight of 26th May.

It is likely decrease thereafter becoming 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph by morning on 27th May and squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph by evening of May 27. 

Prime Minister inspects preparedness

Indian PM Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the preparedness for cyclone “Remal” over North Bay of Bengal at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Sunday.

As per IMD forecasts, the cyclonic storm is likely to cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar islands and Khepupara, close to South west of Mongla (Bangladesh) by midnight of today and is likely to cause rainfall in West Bengal and Northeastern States.

The Prime Minister was briefed that the National Crisis Management Committee is in regular touch with the Government of West Bengal.

All fishermen have been advised not to venture into South Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

Around one lakh people are being moved to safer places. IMD is also extending information support to Bangladesh with regular updates.

Mamata Banerjee asks people to 'stay safe'

Banerjee posted on X: "Stay home and stay safe. We are there for you, today and always. This storm shall pass too."