On Monday morning, intense rainfall and powerful winds struck Bangladesh, impacting a large part of the country as Cyclone Remal continued to exert its influence. Approximately 800,000 individuals were relocated from low-lying coastal regions in Bangladesh due to the cyclone’s effects. Remal made landfall late Sunday near Sagar Island in West Bengal and the Khepupara area in Bangladesh.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that Cyclone ‘Remal’ will continue its northward movement for a period before shifting towards the north-northeast direction, gradually losing intensity as it transforms into a Cyclonic Storm.
Impact on Bangladesh
Severe cyclonic storm floods coastal villages in southern Bangladesh, leaves thousands without power. Seven deaths reported by Dhaka’s Somoy TV, with two missing after boat capsizes.
The cyclone brought strong winds and heavy rain, affecting areas like Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Satkhira, and Chattogram. Coastal villages in Bangladesh were submerged, with flood protection embankments washed away or damaged by storm surges. Bangladesh’s junior disaster management minister, Mohibur Rahman, said volunteers helped transport evacuees to about 9,000 cyclone shelters. The government also closed regional schools indefinitely.
Operations at Mongla and Chittagong ports were suspended. The airport in Chattogram ceased operations, canceling domestic flights to and from Cox’s Bazar. Bangladesh also halted loading and unloading activities at Chittagong, its largest seaport, and moved several ships from jetties to the deep sea as a precaution.
Impact on West Bengal
In Kolkata, Cyclone Remal caused injuries and disrupted traffic with uprooted trees. West Bengal’s power minister reported 356 uprooted electricity poles and damage to transformers during the storm’s first hour.
Kolkata Airport suspends flights for 21 Hours, affects 394 Flights; services resume next morning. Suburban train services disrupted in Sealdah South Section, normalized later.
Overnight, heavy rainfall hit Kolkata and coastal areas of West Bengal as a weather system, 150 km northeast of Sagar Island, intensified. The Indian Coast Guard is closely monitoring the cyclone’s landfall, with disaster response teams, ships, and hovercraft on standby for post-impact challenges. Kolkata Metro operations faced disruptions due to waterlogging at Park Street and Esplanade stations, affecting services between Girish Park and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar stations.
‘Remal’ First Cyclone of the Year in Bay of Bengal, Precedes Monsoon Season.
