Cyclone Remal: 16 Dead, Millions Lose Power in India, B'desh

Cyclone Remal, the first major storm of the year, struck the coastlines of India and Bangladesh, killing at least 16 people and cutting power to millions. The cyclone, with winds up to 135 kph, made landfall near Bangladesh's Mongla port and India's Sagar Islands late Sunday night. 

Widespread Power Outages

In Bangladesh, nearly 3 million people lost electricity due to the storm. Authorities preemptively shut down power in some areas to prevent accidents, but many coastal towns still experienced outages due to fallen trees and damaged power lines. West Bengal, India, also faced significant disruptions, with around 1,200 power poles uprooted and extensive damage to infrastructure.

Destruction and Evacuations

The cyclone damaged or destroyed nearly 150,000 homes in Bangladesh, according to disaster management officials. State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibbur Rahman reported that 35,000 homes were completely destroyed and another 115,000 were partially damaged. In West Bengal, four people were electrocuted, contributing to a total of six deaths in the state.

On the other hand, at least 10 people died in Bangladesh, some while heading to shelters, others from collapsing homes or walls, and some by drowning.

Flooding and Environmental Damage

Heavy rains and high tides caused flooding in many areas, including the Sundarbans, home to extensive mangrove forests. Roads were waterlogged, disrupting travel in both Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Kolkata, India. Kolkata's streets were flooded, and the city experienced significant travel disruptions, including flight cancellations and train service interruptions.

Efforts and Recovery

Both countries took preventive measures, moving nearly a million people to storm shelters—approximately 800,000 in Bangladesh and 110,000 in India. Efforts to restore power and repair infrastructure are ongoing, with crews working to clear debris and fix power lines as weather conditions improve.