Cyclone Remal makes landfall on the evening of May 26th, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to West Bengal and Bangladesh. While the storm caused disruptions to transportation and infrastructure damage, timely evacuations in West Bengal prevented casualties in the state.

In anticipation of the cyclone, disaster management authorities and security forces across West Bengal and northeastern states were on high alert.

Cyclone Remal makes landfall, prompts proactive response and evacuation efforts

District administrations in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram were instructed to take precautions to minimize the impact of the storm. The West Bengal government successfully evacuated approximately 1,10,000 people from coastal and vulnerable areas to cyclone shelters and other safe locations. These evacuations, particularly in South 24 Parganas (including Sagar Island, Sundarbans, and Kakdwip), proved crucial in preventing fatalities.

The cyclone caused significant disruptions to transportation in West Bengal. Several trains were cancelled, and the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata suspended flight operations for 21 hours, impacting nearly 400 flights. The storm also halted operations at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata.

Cyclone Remal makes landfall
Image Source: NASA Earth Observatory

Heavy rain and strong winds led to damage across the region. Reports from North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts indicated damage to thatched roofs, electrical poles, and trees. Low-lying areas near Kolkata experienced flooding. In Bangladesh, two people were reported killed as a result of the cyclone.

The Indian government is actively involved in the response and recovery efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the storm response, and West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose closely monitored the situation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged residents to stay indoors and assured them of government support.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has deployed 15,000 civic employees to manage post-cyclone recovery efforts, including the removal of fallen trees. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted continued heavy rain and strong winds in southern Bengal districts.

Fourteen NDRF teams have been dispatched to impacted districts, including Kolkata. The state government has also prepared State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel for relief operations. Nine more disaster aid teams are on standby.

Cyclone Remal makes landfall
Image Source: Leverage Edu

The Indian Navy has outfitted two ships with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies and medical equipment. Specialized diving and flood relief teams are also on standby to help with the recovery efforts.

While Cyclone Remal caused disruption and damage, the proactive measures taken by authorities and the successful evacuation efforts in West Bengal helped to prevent the loss of life. Recovery efforts are now underway to address the damage caused by the storm.

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