The India Meteorological Department reports that a low-pressure area over the southwest and adjacent west-central Bay of Bengal moved northeastward and is expected to concentrate into a depression over the central parts of the Bay by the morning of May 24. By May 25, the depression is predicted to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal. And then, by the evening of May 26, it would have moved almost entirely north, approaching Bangladesh and the nearby coastlines of West Bengal as a violent cyclonic storm.

The IMD released the following statement: “At 08:30 IST today, May 23, 2024, a well-marked low pressure area was located over the west central and adjacent south bay of Bengal, while a low pressure area over the southwest and adjacent west central Bay of Bengal moved northeastwards.” By the morning of May 24, 2024, it is quite likely to keep moving northeastward and to concentrate into a Depression over the central portions of the Bay of Bengal.”

It further added, Following that, it’s highly likely to keep going northeast and, by the morning of May 25, strengthen even more into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal. It would then proceed almost due north and arrive close to Bangladesh and the surrounding coastlines of West Bengal by the evening of May 26 as a strong cyclonic storm”.It will be called ‘Remal’ if it forms, and it will be the first cyclone of this pre-monsoon season in the Bay of Bengal.

On May 26 and 27, the IMD predicts light to moderate rainfall in most areas and heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few isolated locations across the coastal districts of West Bengal and the neighbouring districts of North Odisha. On May 26 and 27, the majority of locations should get mild to moderate rainfall, with sporadic areas expected to see strong or extremely heavy rainfall over Mizoram, Tripura, and South Manipur.