Cyclone Remal ravaged the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara after its landfall process began at 8.30 pm on Sunday. The cyclone left a trail of destruction — it blew away roofs of several thatched huts, uprooted trees, and knocked down electric poles, causing significant disruption in various parts of Bengal, including Kolkata.
The West Bengal government has evacuated over 1 lakh people from vulnerable areas ahead of the cyclone's landfall, PTI reported. This effort was focused primarily in the South 24 Parganas district, including Sagar Island, Sundarbans and Kakdwip.
The North and South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur districts saw widespread damage, the report said. In the coastal resort town of Digha, tidal waves crashed into the seawall, and the surging waters swept fishing boats inland. Mud-and-thatch houses and farmlands were inundated.
The West Bengal government has readied State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, and relief material as well as quick response teams have been put in place. The Indian Coast Guard said on Monday that it is closely monitoring the cyclone, with a disaster response team, ships, and hovercraft on standby at short notice to respond to post-impact challenges. The Coast Guard also asked people to follow official advisories, and stay informed and safe.
The cyclone has led to significant disruptions in air, rail and road transportation in Kolkata and other parts of southern Bengal. PTI reported that the Kolkata airport suspended flight operations for 21 hours starting Sunday noon, which affected 394 flights in both the international and domestic sectors. The Eastern and the South Eastern Railways cancelled some trains for Sunday and Monday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, that after landfall, Remal would move northwards for some more time and north-northeastwards, weakening gradually into a cyclonic storm. Efforts to restore normalcy are underway, with emergency services working tirelessly to clear debris and restore power in affected areas. However, the continuous heavy rains are hampering these operations.