Cyclone Remal, sweeping across the coastlines of India and Bangladesh, left a trail of destruction resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people and the evacuation of nearly 1 million people as on May 26.
The storm caused strong winds and heavy rain, resulting in power outages for millions of people in both countries.
First cyclone in 2024 to hit low-lying coasts
Remal is the first major cyclone of the year to hit the low-lying coasts of these South Asian neighbors, where the frequency of such storms has increased in recent years due to climate change.
The cyclone made landfall near Bangladesh’s southern port of Mongla and the Sagar Islands in India’s West Bengal around 9 p.m. local time on Sunday, with winds of up to 135 km per hour (84 miles per hour). By Monday morning, the storm had begun to lose intensity.
The cyclone’s impact has been severe, with trees uprooted, roads flooded, and extensive damage to infrastructure.
Indian Coast Guard said that it was closely monitoring the landfall. “Ships, Hovercraft standby at short notice to respond to post-impact challenges,” the maritime security organization wrote.
Bangladesh evacuated 800,000 people from nine coastal districts and port areas of Mongla and Chittagong. About 150,000 people in India’s Sundarbans mangrove forest were evacuated inland.
Rescue operation
In Bangladesh, at least 10 people have died, according to disaster management chief Mijanur Rahman. Meanwhile, in India, the death toll stands at seven, including a child, as reported by local authorities.
More than a million people were evacuated in anticipation of the storm.
The Indian and Bangladeshi governments mobilized volunteers and army personnel to assist with clean-up operations and provide essential supplies such as food and water to those displaced by the cyclone.
Efforts to restore normalcy are ongoing, with authorities working tirelessly to clear fallen trees and repair damaged power lines.
The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra in Bangladesh issued the highest alert, Great Danger Signal 10, and advised all fishing and boating vessels to remain in shelter.
Remal’s impact was particularly harsh on communities living in makeshift homes made of clay, wood, plastic sheets, and other vulnerable materials. These areas, home to about 2 million people, faced severe risks from the storm’s powerful winds and rain.
The Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, were also at significant risk. These camps, housing stateless people who fled persecution in Myanmar, are located on hilly terrain prone to landslides and floods. The flimsy structures of bamboo and tarpaulin make these shelters highly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
Relief and Rescue efforts in India
In India, video footage showed workers from the National Disaster Response Force clearing debris in West Bengal amid heavy rain. The Indian Coast Guard monitored the cyclone closely, with ships and hovercraft on standby to respond to emergencies.
The main international airport in Kolkata was closed on Sunday, causing disruptions to hundreds of flights. While air traffic resumed on Monday, delays continued to affect passengers.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, reviewed disaster management efforts and expressed his concern for those affected by the cyclone. “I pray for everyone’s safety and wellbeing,” Modi stated on social media.
As sea surface temperatures rise, the frequency and intensity of such storms are expected to increase, posing significant risks to millions of people living in vulnerable coastal regions of India and Bangladesh.
In a convergence of extreme weather phenomena, the region finds itself grappling with a trifecta of natural events. Cyclone Remal, brewing in the Bay of Bengal, poses a threat with its potential for destructive winds and heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, several parts of India and Pakistan are currently reeling under scorching heatwaves,