Cyclone 'Remal' makes landfall in Bangladesh; West Bengal prepares

Kolkata: The West Bengal government has evacuated around 1.10 lakh people from coastal regions in view of the severe cyclone 'Remal' while it has made landfall on the Bangladesh coast. Those evacuated included the Sundarbans and Sagar Island and were sent to secure shelters, PTI reported.

Further, 16 battalions, each from the state disaster management and NDRF have been deployed in the coastal areas.

Officials told PTI, "Evacuation efforts have concentrated on relocating 1.10 lakh people from coastal regions to safe shelters, with a significant number hailing from South 24 Parganas district, notably Sagar Island, Sunderbans, and Kakdwip."

The state government distributed around 5.40 lakh tarpaulins along with dry rations, powdered milk and drinking water pouches in a bid to face the impending crisis.

"Our district management teams remain fully engaged, operating round-the-clock to address the evolving situation," the official reassured.

A centralised control unit has been established at the state secretariat to monitor the situation closely.

According to the Meteorological department, 'Remal' has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is poised to make landfall between Bangladesh and the adjoining West Bengal coasts by midnight on Sunday, with sustained wind speeds ranging from 110-120 km per hour and gusts reaching up to 135 kmph.

The cyclone may cause extremely heavy rainfall in coastal districts, and Kolkata might also experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Following the forecast of 'Remal', a meeting was convened and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review response and preparedness for the crisis.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh authorities informed the landfall of Remal in their coastal areas and have flagged the cyclone as crossing the areas, Agence France Presse reported.