Sunday, 22 December 2024
Sunday, 22 December 2024
At least two persons died in West Bengal and its coastal areas suffered extensive damage to infrastructure and property, as Cyclone Remal tore through the state and neighbouring Bangladesh with winds speeds reaching 135 km per hour. The cyclone ravaged adjacent coasts of the state and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara, near the southwest of Mongla in the neighbouring country, after its landfall process began at 8.30 pm on Sunday and lasted for a good four hours.
Roofs of thatched huts were blown away, trees uprooted and electric poles knocked down, causing significant disruption in various parts of the state, including Calcutta. Efforts to restore normality are underway, with emergency services working to clear debris and restore power in the affected areas.
The state government has initiated relief operations, providing food, drinking water and medical assistance to the people affected. The authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and take necessary precautions as the heavy rain persists.
Waterlogging has been reported in several areas, compounding the misery of the affected residents. The storm brought with it heavy rain, which continued into Monday, flooding homes and farmlands.
In the Gosaba area of the Sundarbans, one person was injured after being hit by debris. The West Bengal government evacuated more than one lakh people from vulnerable areas ahead of the cyclone's landfall. While the move saved lives, damage to property remains extensive.
Three persons were injured and vehicular movement was disrupted as trees lay uprooted in several parts of Calcutta in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal. Around 68 trees were uprooted in Calcutta, and another 75 in nearby Salt Lake and Rajarhat area.
Flights services from the Calcutta airport resumed on Monday after remaining suspended for 21 hours in view of the cyclone Remal, an official said. Though the process of resuming flight operations has begun, it will take some more time for the situation to become normal, sources at the airport said.
However, operations of the Calcutta Metro were disrupted between Girish Park and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar stations, due to waterlogging on the tracks at Park Street and Esplanade stations, another official said.
Buses parked at a stand after services were disrupted following Cyclone Remal's landfall, in Calcutta.
A commuter at a railway station during rain in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal's landfall, in Calcutta. Meanwhile, train services in the Sealdah South section of Eastern Railway resumed at 9 am after remaining suspended for three hours in the morning, an ER official said.
