Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal Caused Havoc in Parts of West Bengal

Two people were killed, one male of 50 years died due to an old building collapse at BibirBagan in Kolkata and an 80-year-old woman died due to a tree fell on her at Mousumi Island in South 24 Parganas, when Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal made landfall in West Bengal and neighbouring Bangladesh on Sunday night. Accompanied by heavy rain and a devastating storm with a speed of 135 kmph, Remal caused havoc in coastal areas of West Bengal after a landfall between the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Kolkata recorded a huge rainfall of 146 mm between 8:30 AM on Sunday and 5:30 AM on Monday, followed by Halidia(recorded a rainfall of 110 mm), and Tamluk and Nimpith (recorded 70 mm each). The vicinity also witnessed heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong wind during this period. Flights and train services were cancelled till Monday morning.

Sings of devastation and damage are present everywhere in West Bengal’s coastal areas and Kolkata. Torrential rains accompanied by devastating wind uprooted numerous trees, damaged many thatched houses, collapsed electricity poles, and caused crop and property damage, and road blockage.

The city escaped major damages and causalities, except the death of a 51-year-old man named Mohammad Sajib. The deceased met the tragic end as a heavy cement tile suddenly fell on his head at Bibir Bagan in the Entali area of Kolkata.

NDRF officials told media on Monday that 14 teams of the federal contingency force deployed across the state are leaving no stone unturned for the restoration of normalcy. Rescue work of cutting and clearing uprooted trees, removing collapsed electric poles, and helping marooned people to come out of the badly hit rain areas are going on full phase.

14 NDRF teams have been working relentlessly across the state for relief and rescue operations since Sunday night. They have removed over 54 uprooted trees, 4 electric poles, and cleared debris from over 18 km of roads in affected areas of Sandeshkhali, Hasnabad, Sagar, Gosana, Shyampur, and Haringhata.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that Remal has been weakened and turned into a “cyclonic storm” that is likely to be more weakened on Monday night.  The department is expecting normalcy after Wednesday morning.

Authorities rescued over 1 lakh marooned people and evacuated more from the Remal-affected areas in West Bengal. The cyclone has caused huge casualties and severe damage to the state.