cyclone; Risk of heavy rains and floods 

The Meteorological Office

Dhaka, May 26, 2024 – The Meteorological Office has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rains across eight divisions in Bangladesh on Sunday, due to the impact of Cyclone Remal, which formed in the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone has also raised concerns about potential flooding in 15 coastal districts.

Cyclone Remal developed around 6 pm on Saturday, prompting the Meteorological Department to issue Special Notice No. 7. Signed by Meteorologist Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallick, the notice predicts heavy (44 to 88 mm) to very heavy (over 89 mm) rainfall accompanied by gusty winds in the divisions of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong, and Sylhet.

The cyclone's presence has already begun affecting weather conditions, with rain and strong winds reported in coastal districts such as Bhola and Pirojpur since Saturday evening.

As of 6 pm today, Cyclone Remal was located 455 km southwest of Chittagong seaport, 400 km southwest of Cox's Bazar seaport, 405 km south of Mongla seaport, and 365 km south of Payra seaport. The cyclone is expected to move further north and intensify.

The Meteorological Department has highlighted the risk of high tides inundating low-lying coastal areas. The districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Comilla, Chittagong, and Cox's Bazar, along with nearby islands and chars, may experience tidal surges three to five feet higher than usual.

The maximum sustained wind speed near the cyclone center is recorded at 62 km/h, escalating up to 88 km/h in gusts. The sea is reported to be very rough around the cyclone's center.

In response to Cyclone Remal's formation, the Meteorological Department has instructed Payra and Mongla seaports to display distress signal number 7, while Chittagong and Cox's Bazar seaports are to show distress signal number 6.

Key Points

1. Weather Warning: Heavy to very heavy rain forecasted for Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong, and Sylhet divisions.
2. Flood Risk: 15 coastal districts face potential flooding due to tidal surges.
3. Cyclone Path: Cyclone Remal located southwest of major seaports and expected to intensify.
4. Wind Speeds: Maximum sustained winds near the cyclone center at 62 km/h, gusting up to 88 km/h.
5. Distress Signals: Payra and Mongla seaports at distress signal number 7; Chittagong and Cox's Bazar at signal number 6.