Cyclone Remal

Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal was a moderately strong but extremely devastating and deadly tropical cyclone that affected West Bengal and Bangladesh, also became the costliest known tropical cyclone of Bangladesh in May 2024. It was the first depression and the first cyclonic storm of the 2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, it turned into a cyclone from a deep depression on the evening of 25 May. The cyclone made landfall on West Bengal and Bangladesh's Sundarban Delta, just near the border at 8:30 pm on Sunday, 26 May as a severe cyclonic storm. The storm's speed was between 100 and 135 kilometres per hour during landfall in the coastal area. Remal killed at least 84 people including 65 in India and 19 in Bangladesh. About 30 million people in Bangladesh and many in West Bengal were affected by power outages.

Meteorological history

After four months of inactivity, on 21 May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) began monitoring a cyclonic circulation in the Bay of Bengal. Later that day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) would also begin tracking the system, noting that it was likely to become a monsoon depression. The next day, the IMD noted that a low-pressure area had formed adjacent to the cyclonic circulation. Late on 23 May, the IMD upgraded the system into a well-marked low, stating that it was rapidly coalescing. The next day, the IMD stated that the depression formed in the Bay of Bengal, designating it as ''BOB 01''.

Subsequently, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA), noting the depression's broad circulation center and its improving rainbands. The next day, BOB 01 intensified into a deep depression. The JTWC would recognize the system as a cyclone, designating it as 01B. Soon after, the depression intensified into a cyclonic storm, causing the IMD to name it ''Remal''.

Effects

Bangladesh

On the morning of 26 May, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department issued a distress signal number 10 in nine coastal districts. The Meteorological Department issued a warning that coastal 16 districts may be inundated by wind-driven tides of 8 to 12 feet above normal. About 8,000 to 9,000 shelters were prepared in the coastal districts of Bangladesh to evacuate people to safety. In addition, the army, fire service, volunteers and other government institutions were kept ready for post-storm rescue operations. Operations at the Port of Chittagong were suspended.

Due to Remal, 19 people were killed in Bangladesh. Rain and gale-force winds were present in coastal areas starting from the morning of 26 May. According to Bangladesh's Ministry of Disaster Management, about 800,000 people in coastal areas were forced to leave their homes and seek shelter. Wind speeds at the time of the main impact were between 100 and 135 kilometers per hour. At this time, the high tide of 5 to 7 feet broke the embankment and submerged a vast area of the coast, which resulted in damage to houses, crops, and livestock. Two children went missing and 13 people were injured after a trawler sank in Khulna. More than 2.7 million people were without electricity and more than 27 thousand mobile network towers were down. Traffic was disrupted in several areas after trees were uprooted on the road. Flooding also occurred in Dhaka, where three people were fatally electrocuted by fallen electric wires. Dhaka received 306 mm rainfall, and many trees were felled and branches snapped. It is the strongest cyclone to affect Dhaka since Cyclone Sidr. Severe waterlogging also occurred in Chattogram and Barisal.

According to the Bangladesh Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, Cyclone Remal affected about 3.7 million people in 107 upazilas of 19 coastal districts. About 35,000 houses in Bangladesh were completely destroyed and 115,000 houses were partially damaged due to the impact of the cyclone.

India

Cyclone Remal killed seven people and injured over 100 in West Bengal. The cyclone toppled 356 electricity poles, destroyed 2,500 houses and damaged 27,000 others in the state. Evacuations were ordered for more than 50,000 people in the Sundarbans region. The tidal surge of the cyclone reached over 10 feet of water and lasted over 36 hours in areas of the mangrove, destroyed or damaged hundreds of trees, and caused saltwater incursion in at least 80 freshwater ponds used by wildlife and locals for drinking water. Many wildlife, including deer and wild boar, were killed due to the exceptional height of the tidal surge. At least 1,200 power poles had been uprooted and there was shortages of food. In Kolkata, 394 flights were cancelled. More than 400 trees were uprooted in and near Kolkata. More than 260 mm of rain fell in Kolkata in 24 hours along with gusts of wind. Heavy downpour had also led to flooding in various parts of Kolkata and disrupted services at the Kolkata Metro due to the inundation of Park Street and Esplanade metro stations. On 25 May, the India Meteorological Department issued an emergency warning for the states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura due to the expected effects of the cyclone. The cyclone also caused 13 deaths in Telangana, including seven in Nagarkurnool and four in Hyderabad. Most of the deaths in the state were attributed to falling trees or collapsing structures.

As the remnants of Cyclone Remal went towards Northeast India, heavy rainfall triggered landslides, killing 40 people. Damage was particularly severe in the state of Mizoram where 30 people died, including 17 due to the collapse of a stone quarry in Aizawl, with six others missing. Landslides also blocked the National Highway 6. Four deaths and 18 injuries also occurred in Assam, where 16 districts were affected by the floods. In Dhekiajuli, a tree fell on a school bus and injured 12 children. In Meghalaya, one person was killed and seven others were injured by a landslide. The severe rainfall led to extensive flooding in Guwahati and Silchar, with more than 50% of Silchar and surrounding areas flooded.

Charity Football Match for Cyclone Victims

The Mizoram Football Association in collaboration with Mizo Professional Footballers Association held a charity football match on 21 June 2024. This match featured ISL vs I-League players from Mizoram to raise funds for Cyclone Remal victims.

See also

* Weather of 2024
* Tropical cyclones in 2024
* Cyclone Mora
* Cyclone Sitrang

Notes

References

{{Reflisthttps://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/ktqzqzlg63

2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
2024 meteorology
Tropical cyclones in 2024
2024 disasters in India
2024 disasters in Bangladesh
May 2024 events in India