HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS EVACUATED AS CYCLONE REMAL SLAMS INTO BANGLADESH COAST

Sun 26 May 2024:

Cyclone Remal has struck Bangladesh’s low-lying coast, prompting authorities to evacuate hundreds of thousands of residents. The storm began hitting the southern district of Khepupara around 8 pm (14:00 GMT), according to meteorologist Shamim Ahsan.

With winds reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph), the cyclone led officials to raise the danger signal to its highest level, 10. Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Kamrul Hasan, instructed people to leave “unsafe and vulnerable” homes.

At least 800,000 people have evacuated their coastal homes and moved to cyclone shelters, officials reported. During the evacuation, a ferry overloaded with over 50 passengers capsized near Mongla, a port in the cyclone’s path, injuring at least 13 people who were subsequently hospitalized, said local police chief Mushfiqur Rahman Tushar.

Bangladesh has established more than 7,000 cyclone shelters and mobilized 78,000 volunteers, according to State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibur Rahman. Cyclones have historically caused significant casualties in Bangladesh, with Cyclone Mocha last year being the most powerful since Cyclone Sidr in 2007, which killed over 3,000 people and inflicted billions of dollars in damage. The frequency of superstorms has increased from one per year to as many as three, due to climate change.

The storm is expected to make landfall in India overnight, according to India’s weather department. In preparation, India has deployed its disaster relief force in West Bengal, suspended flights in Kolkata, and relocated over 50,000 people from the Sundarbans mangrove forest.

Senior minister Bankim Chandra Hazra emphasized their aim to prevent any loss of life. West Bengal has started experiencing moderate rainfall, and the government has canceled leave for essential service employees. The Indian Navy has also prepared ships, aircraft, divers, and medical supplies for potential deployment..

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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