The IMD said Cyclone Sands will continue to move almost northwards for some time and then move north-northeastwards before gradually weakening and turning into a cyclonic storm by Monday morning.
Cyclone Rimal hit the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, causing heavy rains and devastation including flooding of houses. The landing operation began at 8:30 pm on Sunday night on the border coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Kibopara near southwest Mongla in the neighboring country.
The Indian Meteorological Department said the severe cyclonic storm crossed Bangladesh and neighboring West Bengal coasts between Sagar and Kibopara islands near south-west Mongla between 11:30 pm on Sunday and 12:30 am on Monday.
The Meteorological Department said that the severe cyclonic storm will continue to move roughly northwards and then north-northeastwards for some time and will gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm by the morning of Monday, May 27.
Due to the cyclone, there was heavy rain in West Bengal and many trees were uprooted. Waterlogging was also seen in many parts of Kolkata.
The Indian Coast Guard is closely monitoring the landing with its disaster response team, ships and hovercraft on standby at short notice to respond to post-accident challenges.
The tornado destroyed fragile houses and downed electric poles. There is news of one person being injured after being hit by debris in Gosaba area of Sundarban.
One person injured after wall collapses due to heavy rains in Kolkata’s Piper Bagan area
Thatched houses’ roofs were damaged, ballot boxes were twisted and trees were uprooted in several areas of North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts, PTI reported.
As the cyclone approached, thick sheets of rain covered the vast coastline, while rising waters swept fishing boats inland and flooded mud and thatched houses and farmland in low-lying areas.
The cyclone caused major disruption to flight, rail and road transport schedules and halted flight operations at Kolkata airport for 21 hours, affecting 394 flights. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port in Kolkata has also suspended operations.
