Q: Which country named the cyclone Remal?
A: The name for the cyclone Remal comes from the country Oman.
Meteorological History
Cyclone Remal originated in the Bay of Bengal on May 24, 2024. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) closely monitored a cyclonic circulation that gradually intensified into a cyclonic storm named Remal. This storm landed on the Sundarban Delta in West Bengal, impacting millions across India and Bangladesh. After a period of inactivity, the IMD began monitoring a cyclonic circulation in the Bay of Bengal on May 21. The system rapidly intensified, and on May 24, it was designated as Cyclone Remal.
Impact and Casualties from Remal
Cyclone Remal had a significant impact. It caused fatalities, injuries, and widespread power outages. At least 84 lives were lost, with 65 fatalities in India and 19 in Bangladesh. Additionally, approximately 30 million people faced disruptions in power supply due to the cyclone.
On May 26, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department issued a distress signal (number 10) in nine coastal districts. Coastal areas faced wind-driven tides of 8 to 12 feet above normal, posing a serious threat of inundation. Approximately 800,000 people in these vulnerable regions were forced to evacuate their homes and seek shelter. The high tide breached embankments, resulting in damage to houses, crops, and livestock.
In West Bengal, India, Cyclone Remal toppled 356 electricity poles, destroyed 2,500 houses, and damaged 27,000 others in the state. Evacuations were ordered for more than 50,000 people in the Sundarbans region. The tidal surge reached over 10 feet, causing extensive damage to trees and freshwater ponds. Wildlife, including deer and wild boar, suffered due to the exceptional height of the surge. Kolkata experienced heavy rain, wind gusts, flooding, and disruptions in metro services. Cyclone Remal also caused fatalities in Telangana due to falling trees and collapsing structures.
Naming Process of Cyclone Remal
The process of naming cyclones follows a standardized convention based on their geographical region. In the case of Cyclone Remal:
The name “Remal” was chosen by Oman.
Oman assigns names to tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region.
“Remal” means “sand” in Arabic, reflecting the cyclone’s origin and characteristics.