Cyclone Remal Triggers Tidal Surge in Sundarbans: Impact on Wildlife and Water Sources

**Devastation in Sundarbans: Cyclone Remal Causes Widespread Flooding and Wildlife Casualties**
The Sundarbans, a crucial biodiversity hotspot, has been severely affected by Cyclone Remal, with the entire region submerged under floodwaters for approximately 30 hours. The unprecedented tidal surge has led to the infiltration of saline water into freshwater ponds, critically impacting both forest wildlife and local communities reliant on these water sources.
In a distressing development, the forest department has reported the recovery of 26 deer carcasses scattered across the Sundarbans as of Tuesday noon, underscoring the devastating impact on the region’s wildlife. Additionally, three more deer were found dead along the Baleswar river in Patharghata upazila, Barguna, bringing the toll to a concerning figure.
Efforts to mitigate the impact on the wildlife population have seen 17 injured deer being treated and subsequently released back into the forest, as confirmed by Khulna region forest conservator Mihir Kumar Tho.
Despite these efforts, the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, the Sundarbans east forest department divisional officer, expressed concerns over the current inability to assess the entire area due to turbulent sea and river conditions. “The tidal surge lasted about 25 to 30 hours, and we are just beginning to understand the scale of the wildlife casualties,” Karim stated, indicating that more information would be available once detailed assessments are possible.
The aftermath of Cyclone Remal paints a grim picture for the Sundarbans, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the impacts of such natural disasters on both the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.