The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for a severe cyclonic storm brewing in the Bay of Bengal, christened Remal.
This pre-monsoon system is expected to intensify rapidly, reaching the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal by Sunday evening.
Remal marks the first cyclone of the season in the Bay of Bengal and comes amid growing concerns about intensifying weather patterns.
Scientists attribute this trend to rising sea surface temperatures, a consequence of global climate change.
"The low-pressure system will concentrate into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal by Friday morning," explained IMD scientist Monica Sharma. "It is forecast to further intensify into a cyclonic storm by Saturday, reaching the Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts as a severe cyclonic storm by Sunday evening."
Wind speeds are expected to touch 102 kilometers per hour at the peak of the storm.
The IMD has cautioned coastal districts of West Bengal, north Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura, and south Manipur to brace for very heavy rainfall over May 26th and 27th.
Fishermen have been strictly advised to return to the coast and avoid venturing into the Bay of Bengal until the storm subsides on May 27th.
Experts warn that warmer oceans are creating a breeding ground for stronger cyclones.
As the Earth's atmosphere absorbs increasing greenhouse gas emissions, a significant portion of the trapped heat is taken up by the oceans, leading to a rise in sea surface temperatures.
Data reveals that the past three decades have witnessed the warmest sea surface temperatures on record.
"Warmer sea surfaces translate to more moisture in the atmosphere," explained senior IMD scientist DS Pai. "This excess moisture provides fuel for cyclones to intensify."
Madhavan Rajeevan, former secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, elaborated that a sea surface temperature exceeding 27 degrees Celsius is critical for a low-pressure system to develop into a cyclone. The Bay of Bengal is currently experiencing exceptionally warm waters, hovering around 30 degrees Celsius.
"The prevailing high sea surface temperatures in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea create ideal conditions for tropical cyclones to form," cautioned Rajeevan.
However, atmospheric conditions also play a crucial role. Vertical wind shear, the change in wind speed or direction with altitude, can significantly impact cyclone development. "High vertical wind shear disrupts a cyclone's structure, hindering its intensification and potentially weakening it," Rajeevan added.
Follow us
