More than one lakh individuals were evacuated from vulnerable regions in West Bengal ahead of the cyclone's arrival. Severe cyclonic storm 'Remal' made landfall between the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal, with winds gusting up to 135 kilometers per hour, causing heavy rains and widespread destruction.
The landfall process commenced at 8:30 pm on Sunday along the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh, spanning from Sagar Island to Khepupara, near the southwest of Mongla in Bangladesh. 'Remal' flattened fragile dwellings, uprooted trees, and toppled electric poles, resulting in one injury from debris in the Gosaba area of the Sundarbans.
News footage depicted colossal tidal waves crashing into the seawall in the coastal town of Digha. The vast coastline was obscured by heavy rain as surging waters inundated low-lying areas, including mud-and-thatch houses and farmlands, and swept fishing boats inland.
In Kolkata's Bibir Bagan area, one person sustained injuries due to a collapsed wall amid heavy rainfall. Reports from various districts cited damage to thatched houses, twisted electric poles, and uprooted trees.
The West Bengal government evacuated around 1.10 lakh individuals from coastal and vulnerable areas to cyclone shelters, schools, and colleges by late Sunday afternoon, with a focus on regions like South 24 Parganas district, Sagar Island, Sundarbans, and Kakdwip.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to assess the response and preparedness for the storm, while West Bengal Governor Dr. CV Ananda Bose closely monitored the situation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged people to remain indoors and assured government support.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) evacuated residents from high-rises and dilapidated buildings, mobilizing 15,000 civic employees to address post-cyclone scenarios and ensure the swift removal of uprooted trees.
The cyclone disrupted transportation in air, rail, and road sectors in Kolkata and southern Bengal, leading to the cancellation of trains and the suspension of flight operations at the Kolkata airport for 21 hours, affecting 394 flights. Operations at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata were also halted.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Indian Navy remained vigilant, with disaster relief teams on standby to address any emergencies, while specialized diving teams and flood relief teams were prepared for deployment.
