Evacuation of Over 100,000 Residents Ahead of Cyclone Remal Landfall

Over 100,000 residents from coastal areas vulnerable to the impact of Cyclone Remal were evacuated to storm shelters by Sunday afternoon, in anticipation of the cyclone’s landfall. The cyclone, described as “very severe,” hit the coasts of Bengal and Bangladesh, specifically between Sagar Island and Khepupara, about 100km from Kolkata, around 9pm. It brought with it wind speeds of 110kmph to 120kmph, gusting up to 135kmph, along with heavy rainfall.
Kolkata experienced moderate rainfall of 23.9mm, with heavier rainfall between 70mm and 110mm predicted for Monday. The city saw disruptions in air, rail, and road transportation; notably, the Kolkata airport suspended operations for 21 hours, impacting 394 flights. Railway services and port operations were also affected.
Authorities have dispatched relief materials to the coastal regions and deployed quick response teams equipped for emergency actions. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy took precautionary measures to safeguard those at sea, including issuing alerts to fishing vessels and readying ships with disaster relief supplies.
The India Meteorological Department, while cautioning about the cyclone’s intensity, noted that the potential damage might be less severe compared to the devastating Cyclone Amphan of 2020. State officials, including Bengal minister Akhil Giri and South 24 Parganas district magistrate Sumit Gupta, assured that preparations were thorough, with numerous flood centres and shelters set up for evacuees.
As Cyclone Remal progressed, extensive precautions were taken to secure Kolkata’s infrastructure and residents. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation and local welfare associations urged citizens to take safety measures, while teams were on standby to address emergencies such as uprooted trees.
The collective efforts of governmental and local bodies, along with the deployment of emergency and relief services, underscored the region’s preparedness in facing the cyclone’s impact.