Tripura: Kolkata-Agartala flights cancelled as cyclone 'Remal' intensifies

Agartala (Tripura) [India], May 26 : Flight operations between Kolkata and Agartala have been suspended with the cancellation of all arrivals from Kolkata till Monday morning as Cyclonic Storm "Remal" intensifies over the Bay of Bengal.
According to Agartala airport authorities, all flight arrivals from Kolkata to the city have been cancelled till 9 am on May 27.
"All flights arriving from Kolkata to Agartala are cancelled till 0900 hrs on 27 May 2024. Passengers are being informed by the concerned airlines. Other flights arriving from Delhi, Bangalore, and Guwahati are operating normally. Updates for air traffic will be provided further," Agartala airport authorities said in a statement.
Meanwhile, urgent preparatory measures are being taken across Tripura in view of Cyclonic Storm "Remal," which is currently centred over the Bay of Bengal and intensifying into a Severe Cyclonic Storm.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for four Tripura districts for May 27 in light of Cyclonic Storm "Remal." For two other districts, an orange alert has been issued, Tripura Revenue Department Secretary, Brijesh Pandey said.
The districts for which a red alert is issued include West Tripura, Khowai, South Tripura, and Dhalai. North Tripura and Unakoti districts are under an orange alert.
The Cyclonic Storm "Remal," expected to bring maximum sustained wind speeds of 110-120 kmph with gusts up to 135 kmph, is likely to make landfall around 11 pm on Sunday near Khepupara and Sagar Island.
In anticipation of the storm's impact, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have issued advisories predicting increased rainfall and heavy winds in Tripura from the night of May 26 to May 29. The state is bracing for heavy rainfall and gusty winds in isolated areas during this period.
Following the advisories, the Revenue Department of Tripura issued instructions to District Magistrates and Collectors on May 24 to initiate preparatory measures. The Secretary of Revenue (RR&DM) is in constant communication with district officials to ensure comprehensive mitigation efforts. State and District Emergency Operation Centres are operating 24x7 to manage the situation.
An urgent meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) was held on Sunday morning, chaired by the Chief Secretary at the Civil Secretariat. Key officials, including the Director General of Police (DGP), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), and representatives from IMD, the Airport Authority, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), attended the meeting.
The SEC has asked all schools, educational institutions, and Anganwadi centres to be closed on May 27 and May 28. The Transport Department is coordinating with Railways, the Airport Authority, and road transport services to ensure public safety and inform the public about any cancellations.
The NDRF has been requested to deploy a team to Santirbazar to assist South Tripura and Gomati Districts, with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams on standby. The Food Department will ensure the availability of food and essential supplies. The Fishery Department has alerted fishing communities to avoid lakes, rivers, and reservoirs from May 26 to May 28.
The State Government of Tripura urged all citizens to remain calm and assured them that all necessary measures are in place to handle the cyclone's impact.