Heavy rainfall likely in coastal areas tomorrow as Cyclone Remal brews in Bay
Highest rainfall expected in Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barguna
The depression formed over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm, to be named Remal, by tomorrow morning and may cause rainfall in coastal areas of the country later tomorrow night, according to the Met Office.
Due to the effect of Remal, there will be rain Saturday night in the coastal and other areas, followed by a temperature drop across most of Bangladesh on Sunday.
Met offices of both Bangladesh and India said Remal is likely to cross the coastal areas between Sunday afternoon and Monday evening. The track of the cyclone published by the two countries show the cyclone may pass through the middle of Kolkata and Khulna.
Cyclone Remal also is likely to turn into a "severe cyclone" during this time, weather experts said.
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Mostofa Kamal Palash, a meteorology and climate researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, told TBS that Remal's left side will hit parts of West Bengal, with the majority of its impact expected in the Khulna and Barishal divisions of Bangladesh.
"Cyclone Remal is likely to make landfall between 6am on Sunday and 12pm on Monday. This could bring heavy rainfall ranging from 300mm to 600 mm across various districts of Barishal, Khulna, Chattogram, and Dhaka divisions from Saturday to Tuesday.
The highest rainfall is expected in Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barguna, he added.
The weather expert added that if the cyclone coincides with high tide, coastal areas could face tidal water levels 5-10 feet above normal, while during low tide, levels may be 3-6 feet higher.
Besides, maximum wind speeds of 100-120km per hour in Khulna and Barihsal coastal districts could reach up to 140km per hour with gusts, indicating the cyclone's potential to intensify from moderate to severe, he said.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the depression in the Bay of Bengal had a wind speed of 40kmph within its 44 km radius as of 12 noon on Friday. It was gathering energy and moving northeast at 50kmph.
Meanwhile, the BMD issued signal number 1 warnings at Chattogram, Mongla, Cox's Bazar, and Payra seaports, advising fishing boats and trawlers to avoid deep-sea travel.
The BMD classifies cyclones based on their wind speeds: 62-88 km/h is a "cyclonic storm", 89-117 km/h is a "severe cyclonic storm", 118-219 km/h is a "severe cyclonic storm with a core of hurricane wind", and 220 km/h or more is a "super cyclone".
Temperature hits 40 degrees again
Temperatures in the country soared again today, with Chuadanga recording the highest temperature at 40 degrees, while Dhaka peaked at 38.9 degrees Celsius.
According to a BMD bulletin, scattered rain showers with gusty winds are expected in Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Elsewhere, the weather will be mainly dry with occasional clouds.
A mild to moderate heatwave persisted in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, with no immediate relief in sight.
Md Tariful Newaz Kabir, meteorologist at the BMD, told The Business Standard that high temperatures will persist across most of the country on Saturday. The cyclone's impact will start to be felt in coastal areas from Saturday night, accompanied by increased cloud cover.
"As a result, temperatures are expected to drop by 2-5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, with widespread rainfall anticipated across the country," he added.
