Cyclone Remal has slammed into the country's coast, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to Patuakhali's Khepupara area in Bangladesh and Sagar Island of West Bengal. Meteorologists have confirmed that Remal began crossing the Patuakhali coast at 8pm on Sunday.
The storm's eye is expected to pass through Bangladesh between midnight and 1am on Monday, after which Remal is forecast to weaken.
As Bangladesh faces the hit of 'Remal,' evacuations of tens of thousands are underway. The low-lying nation, along with India, is preparing for the effects of the year's first cyclone. Authorities have issued the highest alert for southwestern coastlines.
The met office has issued a maximum "Great Danger Signal number 10" for southwestern Barishal and its surrounding shallows, with a "Great Danger Signal number 9" for the southeastern coastlines, including the port city of Chattogram.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Remal made landfall on Sunday night. Their latest bulletin, at the time of filing this report at 9:20pm on Sunday, states that under the peripheral effect of the severe cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by a wind-driven surge of 8-12 feet height above normal astronomical tides.
According to the Indian met office, Remal is expected to reach maximum wind speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour (75 miles per hour), with gusts up to 135 kmph (85 mph) hitting West Bengal's Sagar Island and Bangladesh's southwestern Khepupara area.
Closures throughout Bangladesh
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman has declared a temporary closure of the Bangabandhu Tunnel from Sunday evening to Monday morning due to Remal.
The state minister added, "The leave of every official from all ministries has been cancelled to tackle the possible aftermath of Cyclone Remal and provide support to the affected people.
"Over 8 lakh people have so far been evacuated to shelters. I am urging the people of 16 coastal districts to rush to the nearest cyclone centres immediately for safety. Schools in coastal areas will remain open, but classes will be suspended."
Maritime ports of Payra and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal number 10.
The coastal districts of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will continue to hoist 'Great Danger Signal number 9' until further notice from the met office.
Meteorologists warned the severe storm could uproot trees, cause major damage to thatched homes, and disrupt power and communication systems.
The approaching storm forced Bangladesh's authorities to close three seaports and the airport of Chattogram, the country's second-largest port city.
As the cyclonic storm 'Remal' approached at high speed, tension gripped the residents of the country's southern and southeastern coastal areas, which are the most vulnerable to such natural disasters.
In Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, many voluntarily repaired weak embankments overnight. Cyclone centres in Khulna and Satkhira districts were already filling up with people seeking safety.
Since Sunday night, panic has spread across Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira. In response, awareness campaigns using loudspeakers have been initiated to inform residents about Cyclone Remal and urge them to move to shelters.
8,00,000 evacuated
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said it mobilised tens of thousands of volunteers to motivate and help the vulnerable move to makeshift shelters or safer places in a few hours.
"We aim to evacuate thousands of people living in their vulnerable homes along the coastlines to our nearly 8,000 cyclone shelters in the quickest possible time," said a ministry spokesman.
Local authorities have already evacuated 8,00,000 people to cyclone centres from coastal areas, confirmed State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman while requesting the people of 16 coastal districts to go to cyclone centres immediately for their safety. He made the request at a press briefing after an inter-ministerial meeting on cyclone management at the Secretariat on Sunday.
Cyclone-prone Bangladesh designed most schools in the coastal regions as cyclone shelters, dedicating structures to enable people to take refuge during surges. Many of these multi-storey facilities also have space for sheltering cattle.
Officials said that some 57 cyclone centres were readied on the low-lying Bhashan Char island, home to 36,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
Lasting scars
The coastal areas of Khulna and Satkhira have a history of being battered by cyclones. Cyclone Aila struck on May 25, 2009, followed by Mahasen on May 16, 2013, Komen on July 30, 2015, Roanu on May 21, 2016, Mora on May 30, 2017, Fani on May 4, 2019, Bulbul on November 10, 2019, Amphan on May 20, 2020, Yaas on May 26, 2021, Asani on May 12, 2022, Sitrang on October 25, 2022, and the most recent Cyclone Mocha.
These cyclones have caused significant damage, breaking embankments and flooding areas like Koyra, Dakop, Assasuni, and Shyamnagar, leaving lasting scars on the areas and the locals.
The Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions were feared to experience heavy (44-88mm) to very heavy rainfall (89mm) with gusty or squally wind. The sea remained high near the severe cyclone centre.
Due to very heavy rainfall, the met office said, landslides may occur in places over the hilly regions of Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamatl, Khagrachari and Chattogram. They advised all fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea to remain in shelter till further notice.
State Minister Md Mohibur Rahman announced the cancellations of the leaves of officials of all ministries, divisions and subordinate offices to tackle the possible aftermath of Remal.
Meanwhile, in response to Cyclone Remal, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) issued its own alert at level 4. Following this alert, all cargo operations at the port's jetties and outer anchorage have been suspended. Ships that were loading or unloading were instructed to expedite their processes. All lighter vessels in the outer anchorage have been moved upstream in the Karnaphuli River for safety.
