The death toll due to Cyclone Remal has now increased to 16 across Bangladesh and India on Monday, ever since this deadly cyclonic storm hit the eastern region.
Many were reportedly injured due to intense downpours in both West Bengal and Bangladesh’s coastal areas.
As a result, intense damage has been reported in power lines.
According to weather officials, the storm crossed the area, with a speed of 135 kph, which reached the area around west Bengal’s sagar islands and neighboring southern Bangladesh’s Mongla port, making a landfall on late sunday, at around 9 pm.
As per reuters, around 10 casualties were reported from Bangladesh, while rest of them came from west Bengal.
Authorities have disclosed that the cause of some fatalities was due to victims dying en route to relief shelters, while others perished from drowning or house collapses resulting from severe waterlogging and storms.
In West Bengal, the death toll has risen to six, with four individuals succumbing to electrocution in the state.
Further, the storm has gravely affected the power lines, which has resulted in cutting off of electricity in coastal areas.
Due to cyclone remal, around 1,200 power poles and 300 mud huts have been uprooted in the state.
For preventive measures, Bangladesh has deliberately cut off power lines to some areas to avoid accidents in advance.
Kolkata, the state’s capital, has also been affected by the cyclone. On May 27, the storm caused street flooding, multiple wall collapses, and 52 trees to fall. Additionally, flights and suburban train services have been disrupted due to Cyclone Remal.
Currently, both India and Bangladesh have initiated movement of at least 10 lakh people to relief shelters, as heavy rains and rising water levels continue to disrupt daily lives in coastal areas.
However, due to the waning effects of the cyclone, Kolkata has recently resumed flight operations and suburban train services.