The Department of Meteorology has issued a ‘Red Alert’ warning for Naval and Fishing communities in the South-eastern Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal effective for the next 24 hours from 11.00 am today.

The cyclone storm named “Remal”, which is over the North Bay of Bengal, intensified into a severe cyclone storm at 05.30 a.m. today. It is located near 19.5°N and 89.3°E, to the north-east of Sri Lanka, and 1500 km away from Kankasanthurai.

It is very likely to move nearly northwards, intensify further, and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal (India) coasts by midnight today.

During this period, very strong winds of about 60-70 kmph, accompanied by heavy rainfalls and very rough seas, are likely over the sea areas around Sri Lanka, over the South- Eastern Arabian Sea areas, and the Bay of Bengal Sea areas.