Bay of Bangal | May 28: Cyclone Remal, the first storm of the pre-monsoon season in the Bay of Bengal, has made landfall, leaving a trail of heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and anxious anticipation in its wake. It’s time to track its journey, how much destructions, challenges, milestones and decisions it has created so far:-
Landfall and Evacuations
– Landfall: Cyclone Remal began its landfall process over the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that it would cross the Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts by midnight with a maximum wind speed of 110-120 kmph.
– Evacuations: Over 1 lakh people were evacuated from the coastal regions in Bengal to secure shelters. The vulnerable Sundarbans delta, directly in the cyclone’s path, necessitated precautionary measures.
-Deaths: At least 25 persons were killed on Tuesday across the country due to rain-related incidents and landslides caused due to the passage of severe cyclonic storm Remal, which made landfall on Sunday night between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Bangladesh’s Khepupara.
Alerts and Preparedness
– IMD Alerts: The IMD issued red alerts for coastal districts, including South and North 24 Parganas, and orange alerts for Kolkata, Howrah, and Purba Medinipur districts. These alerts highlighted the potential for heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds.
– Fishermen and Vulnerable Structures: Fishermen were asked to stay ashore, and residents in affected areas were advised to evacuate vulnerable structures and remain indoors. Yellow alerts were also sounded for isolated places in Balasore.
– Coast Guard and Disaster Relief: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) initiated preemptive measures, with disaster relief teams on standby for immediate assistance. ICG ships and aircraft conducted surveillance to prevent loss of life or property at sea.
– Government Response: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review preparedness. Stakeholders, state administrations, and the Bangladesh Coast Guard were alerted for a coordinated response. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Navy, and Coast Guard were also on high alert. The Mizoram government has ordered the closure of all schools, banks, financial institutions, public sector undertakings and government offices except those rendering essential services on May 28 in view of the inclement weather and the warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on “Cyclone Remal.”
Earlier, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma visited two disaster sites in Aizawl city on Tuesday, which were severely affected by the heavy rainfall from Cyclone Remal, claiming 17 lives.State Home Minister K Sapdanga, who is also holding the portfolio of disaster management and rehabilitation, along with several ministers, MLAs, and officials were also present.
