Cyclone Remal Hits Bangladesh: 10 Dead, Over 150,000 Houses Damaged

Cyclone Remal Hits Bangladesh: 10 Dead, Over 150,000 Houses Damaged/Reuters

Sabiha Rajpoot | May 28, 2024 | 09:11 AM IST | Bangladesh, World | Follow on Google News

Cyclone Remal Hits Bangladesh: 10 Dead, Over 150,000 Houses Damaged

Cyclone Remal Hits Bangladesh: 10 Dead, Over 150,000 Houses Damaged

Key Highlights:

1. Cyclone Remal causes 10 fatalities and extensive property damage in Bangladesh.
2. Over 800,000 people took shelter in 9,424 coastal shelters.
3. 1,471 medical teams deployed, with substantial aid distributed to affected areas.

Cyclonic storm Remal wreaked havoc as it made landfall in Bangladesh’s coastal areas on Sunday night, resulting in 10 fatalities and substantial property damage, as reported by Dhaka Tribune. State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Md Mohibbur Rahman, confirmed the figures during a press briefing at the Secretariat on Monday.

The storm damaged 150,457 houses, with 35,483 completely destroyed across 107 unions and 914 municipalities. The deceased include three individuals each from Bhola and Barisal districts, and one each from Satkhira, Khulna, Chittagong, and Patuakhali districts. Cyclone Remal, after making landfall, weakened into a land depression over Bangladesh, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Nineteen districts were affected, including Jhalakathi, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Bhola, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Narail, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, and Jessore. In response, 9,424 shelters were opened in coastal districts, providing refuge for over 800,000 people and 52,146 domestic animals.

Minister Rahman highlighted that due to proactive measures and directives from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, major damage was averted. A total of 1,471 medical teams were established, with 1,400 currently active, to offer medical support to those affected. Financial aid amounting to Tk 6.85 crore was allocated, alongside provisions of rice, dry food, baby food, and fodder across 15 districts.

Additionally, Cyclone Remal’s impact led to the cancellation of 10 international flights from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, with further disruptions including flight returns and rescheduling. Group Captain Md Kamrul Islam, the airport’s executive director, shared that adverse weather conditions caused significant operational challenges.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to visit the cyclone-affected regions soon, with her schedule pending finalization. The government continues to provide relief and support to the impacted communities, ensuring necessary resources and aid are delivered efficiently.

(Inputs from ANI)

Sabiha Rajpoot

Sabiha Rajpoot, a young journalist, having BA- Journalism degree, writes on different scenarios. Sabiha is also a doctor degree at DHMS.