Cyclone Remal: At least 16 dead in India, Bangladesh; power lines damaged
Cyclone Remal: The first major cyclone of the year brought strong winds and heavy rain to the coastlines of India and Bangladesh, killing at least 16 people and cutting power to millions.
According to Bangladeshi climate expert Liakath Ali, the winds continued to blow as night fell, causing water to rise in many areas and overwhelm drainage systems. "Many people are stranded - it will be another long night ahead with millions not having electricity or shelter," he stated, adding that "people have no idea of how damaged their homes, land and livestock are."
Cyclone Remal is the first of many storms that are expected to hit South Asia's low-lying coasts this year as climate change raises sea surface temperatures.
With winds gusting up to 135 kph, it passed through the area around Bangladesh's southern port of Mongla and the neighbouring Sagar Islands in West Bengal late Sunday, making landfall around 9 p.m.
According to Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, more than 8.4 million people, including 3.2 million children, face serious health, nutrition, sanitation, and safety risks.
At least ten people were killed in Bangladesh. Some victims died on their way to shelters when their homes or walls collapsed or drowned during the storm.
Authorities in West Bengal said four people were electrocuted, bringing the state's death toll to six.
Bangladesh cut off electricity to some areas ahead of time to avoid accidents, while fallen trees and snapped power lines disrupted supply in many coastal towns, according to power ministry officials.
According to officials, nearly 3 million people in Bangladesh do not have access to electricity. Authorities in West Bengal reported that at least 1,200 power poles had been uprooted, and 300 mud huts had been destroyed.
- With inputs from agencies
