Severe cyclonic storm Remal wreaked havoc as it made landfall between West Bengal and Bangladesh, bringing winds of up to 135 kmph and torrential rains. The cyclone struck between Sagar Island and Khepupara near the southwest of Mongla in Bangladesh at 8:30 pm on Sunday, resulting in widespread destruction across the region.
Reports from Bangladesh’s disaster ministry confirmed two fatalities since the cyclone’s landfall, while West Bengal has reported no casualties thus far.
Ahead of the cyclone’s arrival, disaster management authorities and security forces in Bengal and northeastern states were placed on high alert. District administrations across Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram were directed to undertake precautionary measures to mitigate potential impacts.
Cyclone Remal severely disrupted transportation systems in Kolkata and southern Bengal, with air, rail, and road services affected. Several trains were cancelled by the Eastern and South Eastern Railways, while flight operations at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport were suspended for 21 hours, affecting 394 flights. Operations at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata were also suspended.
Reports of damage emerged from various districts, including North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore, where thatched roofs, electric poles, and trees suffered extensive damage. Low-lying areas near Kolkata experienced severe flooding, with incidents of injury reported due to collapsing walls and debris.
Warnings of extremely heavy rainfall were issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) for Assam and other northeastern states on May 27 and 28. Orange and Red alerts were issued for various districts, anticipating adverse weather conditions.
The Meghalaya government advised residents to prepare emergency kits, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated with weather reports. Similarly, Tripura’s government closed all educational institutions and suspended flight operations on the Kolkata-Agartala route.
The cyclone caused damage to fragile dwellings, uprooted trees, and toppled electric poles. Injuries were reported in the Sundarbans’ Gosaba area, prompting the evacuation of over one lakh people from vulnerable areas in West Bengal to cyclone shelters and safe locations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the storm response, while West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee closely monitored the situation. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) mobilised 15,000 civic employees for post-cyclone recovery efforts, including the removal of uprooted trees.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted intensifying rains and winds in southern Bengal districts. Fourteen National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed across affected districts, with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams on standby for relief efforts.
Nine disaster relief teams and two Indian Navy ships equipped with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies and medical aid were prepared for deployment. Specialised diving and flood relief teams also remained on standby to provide assistance as needed.
