Thousands evacuate as Cyclone Remal approaches Bangladesh
With wind speeds expected to reach between 100 to 120 km/h, authorities ramped up emergency measures to protect vulnerable populations in coastal areas.
The Sun Chronicles
Cyclone Remal, a severe tropical cyclone has made landfall on the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal this Sunday, prompting widespread evacuations and preparations to mitigate its impact. With wind speeds expected to reach between 100 to 120 km/h, authorities ramped up emergency measures to protect vulnerable populations in coastal areas.
As Cyclone Remal advances, approximately 8,000 cyclone shelters are estimated to be set up in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh with the help of 78,000 volunteers. In the Khulna provide around 20,000 people have already been evacuated to shelters, according to Helal Mahmud Sharif, the Chief Government Administrator of Khulna province. The government has also stockpiled essential supplies, as the Indian navy has also put ships, aircraft, divers, and medical supplies on standby for rescue operations.
In addition to shelter preparation, the Water Development Board (WDB) has proposed the construction of new embankments and the reinforcement of existing ones to prevent flooding from storm surges. However, many areas remain highly vulnerable due to inadequate infrastructure, with only 65 kilometres of the existing 338 kilometres of embankments built sustainably.
The residents of Bagerhat and other coastal districts have faced recurring devastation from previous cyclones like Sidr, Aila, and Amphan. These communities live in constant fear of rising water levels and tidal surges, which frequently flood their homes and damage their livelihoods. Cyclone Remal has heightened anxiety, with many recalling the catastrophic impacts of past storms. According to Reuters, this is the first cyclone the region is facing in 2024, already taking the lives of four people as 3 million people in Bangladesh are facing the storm without any electricity.
