Amidst a tempestuous onslaught, the coastal regions of West Bengal were ensnared by widespread devastation on Monday, a mere day subsequent to the formidable cyclonic tempest ‘Remal’ making its landfall, unfurling winds that reached a staggering velocity of 135 kilometers per hour. The cyclone wreaked unparalleled havoc along the coastlines of both the state and Bangladesh, extending from Sagar Island to Khepupara, near the southwestern periphery of Mongla in the adjoining nation.
Tragically, SK Sajid, aged 48 and a denizen of Bibi Bagan, succumbed when a segment of his domicile collapsed upon him. Sajid, having ventured out in quest of his son, was struck by the cornice upon his return. He was conveyed to NRS hospital where medical practitioners pronounced him deceased upon arrival.
An elderly woman residing on Mousuni Island near Namkhana, adjacent to the Sunderbans delta, also met her demise on Monday morning following the collapse of a tree onto her abode, which precipitated the roof’s implosion, as stated by officials.
The cyclonic landfall, initiating at 8:30 pm on Sunday, wrought extensive destruction upon infrastructure and property. The aftermath of ‘Remal’ unveiled rooftops torn from thatched huts, trees uprooted, and electric poles toppled, engendering significant disruptions throughout various regions of the state, including Kolkata.
The persistence of heavy rains into Monday morning exacerbated the plight of the affected populace, with reports of waterlogging inundating homes and farmlands. Accounts of injuries emerged, including an individual in the Gosaba area of the Sundarbans wounded by debris and another in Kolkata’s Bibir Bagan area hurt by a collapsing wall amidst the unrelenting downpour.
In anticipation of the cyclone’s onslaught, the West Bengal administration evacuated over one lakh individuals from vulnerable areas. This preemptive endeavor focused predominantly on the South 24 Parganas district, encompassing Sagar Island, Sundarbans, and Kakdwip. Both North and South 24 Parganas, along with East Midnapore, reported extensive damage.
In Digha, a coastal resort town, tidal waves breached a seawall, submerging fishing vessels, domiciles, and farmlands. Despite ongoing efforts to restore normalcy, including debris clearance and power restoration, the incessant heavy rains continue to impede operations.
The comprehensive scope of the damage remains under assessment, but preliminary reports indicate a protracted recovery period from this catastrophic natural disaster. The state government has mobilized relief measures, furnishing essential provisions such as food, potable water, and medical aid to the afflicted populations.
Authorities are exhorting residents to remain indoors and adopt necessary precautions amid the persistent downpours. The southern districts of the state recorded light to moderate rainfall, with Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas receiving 68.4 mm and Kanthi in Purba Medinipur district registering 58 mm in the 24 hours leading up to 5:30 pm on Sunday.
To bolster relief efforts, fourteen National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed across affected districts in South Bengal, accompanied by State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and adept civil defense volunteers.
Transportation disruptions were conspicuous, with air, rail, and road services severely impacted in Kolkata and other parts of southern Bengal. The Eastern and South Eastern Railways annulled several trains scheduled for Sunday and Monday, while flight operations at Kolkata airport were suspended for 21 hours starting Sunday noon, affecting a total of 394 flights across both international and domestic sectors.