SATHIRA: Strong winds and heavy rains from the first major cyclone of the year hit the coasts of India and Bangladesh on Monday, killing at least 16 people and leaving millions without power.
Bangladeshi climatologist Liakath Ali said the wind did not stop as night fell, water levels rose in many places and drainage systems were overwhelmed.
“Many people are stuck – it will be another long night for millions of people without electricity and homes,” he said. “People who don’t know how much damage they have done to their homes, houses and property.”
Cyclone Remal is the first of a series of frequent storms expected to hit neighboring South Asia’s low-lying coasts this year as climate change raises sea surface temperatures.
Air crews flew over the port of Mongla, Bangladesh’s southernmost port, and the Sagar Islands in Bangladesh’s West India late on Sunday.
More than 8.4 million people, including 3.2 million children, are at risk of health, nutrition, sanitation and safety, according to Sheldon Ettet, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh.
At least 10 people died in Bangladesh, disaster management chief Mijanur Rahman told Reuters.
“People usually don’t want to take their livestock and houses to cyclone shelters.” “They usually wait until the last minute when it’s too late.”
Disaster Management and State Relief Minister Mohibbur Rahman said the cyclone had destroyed around 35,000 houses in 19 districts. An additional 115,000 houses were partially damaged.
As more information becomes available, the full extent of the impact will become clear.”
Four people were electrocuted in India’s West Bengal state, authorities said.
An Energy Ministry official said Bangladesh had shut off power to several areas in advance to avoid a disaster, with downed trees and downed power lines in many coastal cities.
About 3 million people in Bangladesh are without electricity, officials said. West Bengal authorities said at least 1,200 power poles were destroyed and 300 mud huts were destroyed.
Bangladesh’s Power and Energy Minister Nasrul Hamid said in a Facebook post that Remal has caused huge losses across the country and urged people to be patient while repairs are carried out.
“Our crews started repairing the route as soon as the wind speed dropped.”
The cyclone also knocked out nearly 10,000 telecommunications towers, leaving millions without cell service.
Rain and strong currents damaged some beaches and flooded coastal areas in the Sundarbans, home to the world’s largest mangrove forest shared by India and Bangladesh.
Flooded roads reduce travel in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka. Many roads in the Indian city of Kolkata were also flooded, walls collapsed and at least 52 trees felled.
After more than 50 cancellations since Sunday, flights to Kolkata have resumed. Intercity train services have also been restored.
