Cyclone Remal update: Landfall process commences

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced late on Sunday that the landfall of the severe cyclone Remal has commenced. The process, which started into the night, is expected to take at least four hours to complete.

Cyclone landfall occurs when the outermost wall of the storm begins to move onto land. The duration of this process depends on the storm’s size and speed, and it can take several hours.

⚠️LATEST UPDATE ON TROPICAL STORM #REMAL
Remal makes landfall over coastal areas. Several warnings for a tropical cyclone, heavy rainfall, or high waves are in effect. The storm will most affect West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Source of satellite data: @eumetsat, lighting… pic.twitter.com/DEqFNaIfNx

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Landfall is often accompanied by gale-force winds, storm surges and heavy rainfall, causing significant damage in the affected areas. The most critical phase is when the cyclone’s eye, or central region, crosses over land. As of 8:30 PM on Sunday, satellite images indicated that this centre was located 30 km from the coast.

Satellite data showed that cyclone Remal’s forward wall had started entering the land near the Bangladesh-West Bengal coasts.

Wind speeds along this coast were recorded at 110-120 km/h, with gusts up to 135 km/h. Cyclone Remal was positioned 118 km east-southeast of Sagar Islands in West Bengal and 125 km southwest of Khepupara in Bangladesh. The landfall was expected to occur between these two locations around midnight.

Southern districts of West Bengal experienced moderate rainfall and intense winds due to the cyclone. From 8:30 AM on Sunday, moderate rainfall was recorded in Digha (45 mm) and another nearby location in Digha (34 mm), while areas in the 24 South Parganas received between 25-35 mm of rain.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued a warning of high waves, ranging from 3.5 to 7.2 meters, expected to affect the coast of West Bengal between Digha and Bakkhali until Monday night.

Authorities and residents in the affected regions are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions as the cyclone continues its landfall and brings severe weather conditions to the area.