Cyclone Remal, the first major cyclonic storm of the year, has resulted in the deaths of 16 people across Bangladesh and India after making landfall near the Bay of Bengal.
The cyclone, which struck the region on Sunday night, caused extensive damage and injuries, particularly in the coastal areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal.
The storm due to cyclone Remal, with wind speeds reaching up to 135 km/h, crossed the area around Bangladesh’s southern port of Mongla and the adjoining Sagar Islands in West Bengal at around 9 PM on Sunday.
In Bangladesh, at least 10 people lost their lives, while six casualties were reported in West Bengal due to cyclone Remal. Many victims perished enroute to relief shelters, drowned, or died due to the collapse of waterlogged homes.
In West Bengal, four persons were electrocuted, contributing to the state’s death toll. The cyclone also severely disrupted power lines, leaving nearly three million people in Bangladesh and thousands in West Bengal without electricity. Authorities in West Bengal reported the uprooting of at least 1,200 power poles and the destruction of 300 mud huts.
To prevent accidents due to Remal, Bangladesh preemptively shut down electricity in some areas. However, fallen trees and snapped power lines further disrupted the supply in many coastal towns.
Heavy rains on May 27 caused flooding in Kolkata’s streets, leading to multiple wall collapses and the uprooting of at least 52 trees. The city resumed flights after more than 50 cancellations on Sunday, and suburban train services were also restored.
Both India and Bangladesh moved over a million people to relief shelters due to the heavy rains and rising water levels, significantly disrupting daily life. The mass evacuations and proactive measures helped mitigate some of the cyclone’s impacts, but the region faces a challenging recovery period ahead.
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