Cyclone Remal, the first major storm of the year, has claimed 16 lives across Bangladesh and India after making landfall near the Bay of Bengal coast on Monday evening. The cyclone caused dozens of injuries and significant damage to power lines in coastal regions of both countries.
The storm, with winds reaching up to 135 kph, crossed near Bangladesh’s Mongla port and the adjoining Sagar Islands in West Bengal late Sunday, making landfall around 9 pm.
In Bangladesh, at least 10 people lost their lives, while the remaining casualties were reported in West Bengal. Authorities noted that some victims died en route to relief shelters, while others drowned or perished as their homes collapsed due to severe waterlogging and storm damage.
In West Bengal, four people were electrocuted, bringing the state’s death toll to six. The storm also caused widespread power outages, with electricity cut off in several coastal areas.
Nearly three million people in Bangladesh and thousands in West Bengal were left without electricity due to the cyclone. Bengal authorities reported that at least 1,200 power poles were uprooted, and 300 mud huts were destroyed.
Bangladesh preemptively shut down electricity in some areas to prevent accidents, while fallen trees and broken power lines further disrupted the supply in many coastal towns, according to power ministry officials.
Heavy rains on May 27 led to flooding in Kolkata streets, causing multiple wall collapses and downing at least 52 trees. Kolkata resumed flight operations after more than 50 cancellations since Sunday, and suburban train services were also restored.
Both India and Bangladesh evacuated at least 1 million people to relief shelters amid heavy rains and rising water levels in coastal areas, severely disrupting daily life.
