The death toll from Cyclone Remal, which hit low-lying areas of Bangladesh, has risen to at least 10, with over 30,000 homes destroyed and tens of thousands more damaged, top local officials reported on Monday.
“Most of the fatalities occurred due to individuals being crushed under fallen houses or collapsed walls,” said Showkat Ali, the government administrator of Barisal district, where seven deaths were recorded.
In neighboring districts, three more people died, some due to drowning.
Cyclone Remal made landfall on Sunday night, bringing fierce gales and crashing waves to the coast. By Monday afternoon, it had weakened into a storm, but strong winds and heavy rain continued to lash the area.
“Heavy rains unleashed by the cyclone are ongoing, and the wind speed remains high,” Ali added.
In Khulna district, two people lost their lives, according to government administrator Helal Mahmud.
“The cyclone has damaged over 123,000 homes in the division, with around 31,000 completely destroyed,” Mahmud reported.
In Chittagong, another fatality was recorded. “More than 40,000 people are still in cyclone shelters due to heavy rains and strong winds,” said administrator Tofael Islam.
Additionally, more than 12.5 million people were left without power, according to Biswanath Sikder, chief engineer of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, the country’s largest state-run power distribution company.