Cyclone Remal reaches West Bengal; leaves a trail of damage

New Delhi: The severe cyclone Remal made landfall in Bangladesh and parts of West Bengal, bringing winds of speeds 135 km and heavy sheets of rain. The cyclone has left a trail of destruction, including inundated homes and farmlands, PTI reported.

The cyclone made landfall in Bangladesh at 8:30 pm on Sunday between Sagar Island and Khepupara there.

It razed fragile dwellings, uprooted trees, and knocked down electric poles, while a person was injured when hit by debris in the Sunderbans Gosaba area. The West Bengal administration had evacuated more than 1 lakh people following the cyclone forecast.

There was news footage showing enormous tidal waves crashing into a seawall in the coastal town of Digha in Bengal.

Heavy rains here inundated thatched houses and farmlands in low-lying areas and also swept fishing boats. There were reports from South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts that roofs of thatched houses were blown away, while electric poles were twisted and trees uprooted. In Kolkata, low-lying areas found streets and homes inundated.

Bengal administration focused on evacuating people from South 24 Parganas district, especially Sagar Island, Sundarbans and Kakdwip. Chief Minister of the State Mamata Banerjee advised people to stay indoors and assured them of the government’s support if needed.

In areas like Digha, Kakdwip and Jaynagar, where light rains and winds were reported, the situation is expected to intensify on Monday. Southern Bengal is expected to experience rising winds and rainfall.

A total of 14 National Disaster Response Teams (NDRF) were deployed in southern Bengal including Kolkata. The state SDRF teams are also ready, along with relief materials and response.

Already, the cyclone has caused severe disruptions in air, road and rail transport. Eastern and South Eastern Railways cancelled some trains, and the Kolkata airport suspended flight operations for 21 hours, affecting 394 flights.