Severe cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ made landfall between the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal around 8:30 pm on Sunday. The cyclone brought heavy rains, flooding homes and farmland, and causing widespread destruction.
The landfall occurred between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara near the southwest of Mongla in Bangladesh. Thick sheets of rain obscured the vast coastline as the cyclone hit, with surging waters sweeping fishing boats inland and inundating mud-and-thatch houses and farmlands in low-lying areas.
The MeT office stated, “Severe cyclonic storm Remal made landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh on Sunday night with wind speeds reaching up to 135 kmph.”
Cyclone Remal flattened fragile dwellings, uprooted trees, and knocked down electric poles in North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore. Over one lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable areas in West Bengal before the cyclone struck.
Evacuation efforts concentrated on relocating people from South 24 Parganas district, especially Sagar Island, Sundarbans, and Kakdwip, according to an official.
Streets and homes in low-lying areas adjoining Kolkata were inundated. In Kolkata’s Bibir Bagan area, one person was injured when a wall collapsed due to the heavy downpour.
Cyclone Remal also caused significant disruptions in air, rail, and road transportation in Kolkata and other parts of southern Bengal. The Eastern and South Eastern Railways canceled some trains, and the Kolkata airport suspended flight operations for 21 hours, affecting 394 flights.
The India Meteorological Department’s eastern regional head, Somnath Dutta, indicated that southern Bengal districts would experience increasing winds and rainfall.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the response and preparedness for the storm, while West Bengal Governor Dr. CV Ananda Bose closely monitored the situation.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) authorities evacuated people from high-rises and dilapidated buildings, according to Mayor Firhad Hakim. Hakim mentioned that 15,000 civic employees were mobilized to address post-cyclone scenarios, with equipment ready for quick removal of large uprooted trees.
The cyclone caused light rains and winds in areas like Digha, Kakdwip, and Jaynagar, which are expected to intensify on Monday.
