According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cyclonic storm, developing in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to hit the coasts of West Bengal and neighbouring Bangladesh as a severe cyclonic storm on 26th May.

The IMD said that the cyclone is expected to hit the coasts of Bengal and Bangladesh on the morning of 26th May with a speed of 110-120 kilometres per hour, gusting at up to 135 kilometers per hour. The severity will remain for almost 24 hours till the morning of 27th May and then will lose intensity.

An orange alert has been issued by the IMD for light to moderate rainfall in Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, Jhargram, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur districts.

Cyclonic storm Remal is likely to coincide with the voting in eight seats in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state on 25th May.

The Election Commission has alerted the district administrations to take all precautionary measures at polling stations in view of the brewing storm.