Cyclone Remal Batters Bengal Coast With 111-km/h Winds and Storm Surge
Cyclone Remal formed from a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal on 22 May 2024 and intensified into a cyclonic storm on 25 May. The system reached peak intensity on 26 May with maximum sustained winds of 111 km/h near the northern Bay of Bengal coast. Remal made landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh, bringing storm surge, heavy rainfall, and destructive winds to coastal areas. The cyclone weakened over land and dissipated across northeastern Bangladesh on 28 May 2024.
Genesis Over Bay of Bengal: Remal's Path From Low Pressure to Cyclone
The formation of Cyclone Remal began with a low-pressure area that developed over the Bay of Bengal on 22 May 2024. The system gradually organized under favorable oceanic and atmospheric conditions, moving northward across the bay while strengthening. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) monitored the disturbance and issued regular advisories as the circulation became better defined.
The system intensified into a depression on 24 May and became a cyclonic storm on 25 May, receiving the name Remal under the North Indian Ocean cyclone naming system. The name was contributed by Oman, following the regional naming arrangement coordinated through the World Meteorological Organization. The cyclone was tracked by both the IMD and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) as it approached one of the most densely populated coastal regions of the Bay of Bengal.
Remal followed a northward track toward the western Bangladesh and West Bengal coastline. Unlike some Bay of Bengal cyclones that recurve toward the northeast or east before landfall, Remal maintained a relatively direct approach toward the coastal delta region. The track brought the storm close to areas including the Sundarbans, Khulna Division, Barishal Division, and coastal districts of West Bengal.
At its peak on 26 May, Remal reached maximum sustained winds of about 111 km/h. The IMD recorded a central pressure of approximately 978 hPa during the cyclone’s strongest phase, while other agencies reported values near 977 hPa. The difference reflected variations among agencies using different observation and analysis methods.
The cyclone’s approach triggered large-scale preparedness measures across Bangladesh and India. Forecast warnings focused on coastal flooding, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge risks. Evacuation operations moved more than 800,000 people in Bangladesh and around 207,000 people in West Bengal into shelters before landfall, according to West Bengal state authorities.
Landfall Between Bangladesh and India: Storm Surge Floods Delta Coasts
Cyclone Remal made landfall on 26 May 2024 near the border area between southwestern Bangladesh and West Bengal, close to Khepupara and south of Mongla. The storm reached the coastline during a period of high vulnerability for low-lying delta regions, where rivers, tidal channels, and coastal settlements increase exposure to flooding.
Storm surge emerged as the primary coastal hazard during Remal’s landfall. UNICEF assessments recorded coastal water levels rising by about 2.2 meters in affected areas of Bangladesh, while other monitoring organizations reported higher local estimates depending on location and measurement methods. The surge combined with heavy rainfall and tidal conditions, causing flooding across coastal districts.
Bangladesh experienced extensive impacts in Khulna, Barishal, and neighboring coastal divisions. Floodwaters affected homes, roads, agricultural land, and freshwater systems. The cyclone damaged embankments and allowed seawater intrusion into some coastal communities. By early June, assessments indicated that approximately 4.6 million people across 19 districts had been affected by the cyclone and subsequent flooding.
The Sundarbans region, shared by Bangladesh and India, faced strong winds, rainfall, and coastal flooding. The Sundarbans' mangroves absorbed some storm energy in certain areas, but nearby villages and infrastructure still experienced damage. Power disruptions, fallen trees, damaged houses, and transportation problems were reported in parts of West Bengal.
The outer circulation of Remal also brought heavy rainfall beyond the immediate landfall zone. Northeastern Indian states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, received intense rainfall after the cyclone moved inland. Mountainous terrain increased risks of flooding and landslides in some areas as moisture from the weakened system spread northeastward.
The cyclone tested regional forecasting coordination between agencies responsible for the Bay of Bengal region. Early warnings from IMD and BMD supported evacuation planning, while disaster response teams prepared shelters, rescue operations, and relief supplies before the storm crossed the coast.
Dissipation Over Northeast India: Remal’s Final Track and Flood Impacts
After landfall, Cyclone Remal weakened rapidly as its circulation moved over Bangladesh. Without the energy supply provided by warm ocean waters, the system lost strength and transitioned from a cyclonic storm into a weaker depression. The storm continued moving north and northeast before dissipating over northeastern Bangladesh on 28 May 2024.
The weakening phase shifted the main hazards from destructive coastal winds to prolonged rainfall and inland flooding. Communities away from the coastline experienced heavy precipitation as the remaining circulation interacted with regional terrain and moisture patterns.
In Bangladesh, recovery efforts focused on restoring electricity, repairing damaged infrastructure, providing clean water, and supporting communities affected by flooding. Coastal districts continued emergency operations after the storm as residents returned from shelters and assessed damage.
In India, authorities responded to rainfall impacts in West Bengal and northeastern states. Rescue teams, local administrations, and disaster management agencies worked on clearing roads, restoring services, and assisting communities affected by rainfall-related hazards.
Cyclone Remal’s lifecycle followed a clear pattern recorded by meteorological agencies: development from a Bay of Bengal low-pressure area on 22 May, intensification into a named cyclone on 25 May, landfall along the Bangladesh–West Bengal coast on 26 May, weakening across Bangladesh, and final dissipation on 28 May 2024.