1,50,457 houses damaged
800,000 people moved to shelter centres
2.22cr people remain without power
The severe cyclonic storm Remal that ravaged parts of Bangladesh crossed the country on Monday, leaving at least 10 people dead and causing colossal damage to houses, crops, livestock and fisheries in the coastal areas.
Although the cyclone crossed the country, heavy rainfall starting from Sunday night was continuing till Monday night.
Due to the cyclone with gusty wind and heavy rainfall, vehicular movement of all modes of vehicles was disrupted seriously, causing immense suffering for people across the country.
The cyclone was the first this year of the frequent storms that have pounded low-lying coasts of Bangladesh in recent years as climate change drives up surface temperature in sea.
Packing speeds of up to 135 kph (84 mph), the cyclone crossed the area around Bangladesh's southern port of Mongla late on Sunday, meteorologists said. It made landfall about 9:00 pm (1530 GMT) before weakening on Monday morning.
The death toll was rising in the country as the authority concerned was getting information from coastal areas.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman on Monday said that the cyclonic storm Remal which made landfall in Bangladesh's coastal area on Sunday night has so far claimed 10 lives.
Besides, 150,457 houses were damaged during the storm. Of these, 35,483 houses were fully damaged in 107 unions and 914 municipalities, said the state minister while speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat on Monday.
The deaths were reported from Khulna, Satkhira, Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola and Chattogram districts. Among the deceased, three died in Bhola and Barishal districts each, and one each in Satkhira, Khulna, Chattogram and Patuakhali districts.
Nineteen districts have been affected during the storm, he said. These are Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Bhola, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Narail, Gopalganj, Shariatpur and Jashore.
A total of 9,424 shelters have been opened in the coastal districts of the country and over 8 lakh people took shelter there, he added. Besides, 52,146 domestic animals were also housed there.
He claimed that no major damage had occurred due to massive preparations taken by the ministry following the directives of the prime minister.
Meanwhile, a total of 1,471 medical teams were formed to provide treatment to the people in the cyclone-hit areas and of them, 1,400 remain active.
Tk 6.85 crore has been allocated to the affected people. Tk 3.85 crore, 5,500 tonnes of rice, 5,000 dry food, Tk 1.50 crore for baby food and Tk 1.50 crore for fodder have been distributed in 15 districts, said the minister.
Talking about the Prime Minister’s visit to the cyclone affected areas, the state minister said, “We have heard that and for this, contact was made with the Prime Minister’s Office. We'll let you know when the programme is finalised.”
Cyclone Remal made landfall and weakened to a land depression over Bangladesh on Monday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
Cyclone Remal weakens into a land deep depression over Jashore, adjoining areas
The severe cyclonic storm Remal, which made landfall on Bangladesh’s coast on Sunday night, moved northwards and weakened into a cyclonic storm and further weakened into a land deep depression over Jashore and adjoining areas, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
It is likely to move northeastwards further and weaken into a land depression by giving precipitation, the BMD stated in its special bulletin.
Maritime ports of Payra and Mongla have been advised to lower danger signal number 10 but instead hoist local cautionary signal number three (R ) three.
Maritime ports of Cox's Bazar and Chattogram have been advised to lower danger signal number nine but instead hoist local cautionary signal number three (r) three.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till this morning and then proceed with caution.
2.22 crore people without power
Power supply to 2.22 crore consumers of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), out of its total 3.58 crore, has been suspended following the landfall of cyclone Remal on Sunday.
According to a top official of the BREB, these consumers are living in the areas belonging to 61 Palli Biduyt Samities (PBSs), out of total 81.
“The areas where power supply remained off till Monday since the hit of the cyclone are mainly located in the coastal belt of the country,” he told UNB.
He, however, said mainly the power transmission was halted to those cyclone-hit areas as part of cautionary measures to avoid any accident.
With the improvement of the situation gradually, the power transmission and distribution system will be checked and restored, he added.
He noted that it’s still not clear how much damages were caused by cyclone Remal. “We’re now receiving information from the cyclone affected areas,” he said.
Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources took some measures including opening control rooms on Sunday to deal with the cyclone.
Over 100 shrimp enclosures washed away in Khulna, 30 villages inundated
Over 100 shrimp enclosures in Khulna's Koyra, Dacope and Paikgacha upazilas were washed away by tidal surges after cyclone Remal struck the Bangladesh coast on Sunday night.
Besides, at least 30 villages were inundated after the collapse of dams in 9 places in these upazilas.
Liaqat Ali, deputy assistant engineer of Water Development Board, said efforts were made to repair the vulnerable dams with the help of local people and contractors after receiving the warning signal of the cyclone.
“Due to incessant rains and tidal surges, dams were damaged at some places. Efforts are underway to repair it before high tide on Monday afternoon,” he added.
At least 61 km of embankment in Khulna - Satkhira – Bagerhat areas have been damaged and saltwater has entered the locality, chief engineer of Water Development confirmed.
ABM Tariq Uz Zaman, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Koyra, said they came to know about the damage of dams in some places. Initially, it is believed that there has been a lot of damages due to heavy rains and winds, he said.
Amirul Azad, officer-in-charge of Khulna Meteorological Office, said cyclone Rumel started hitting the coastal area of Khulna after 10pm on Sunday. “After 1 am the wind speed was 100 to 130 kmph,” he added.
Meanwhile, there has been no electricity in Khulna city since 9pm on Sunday.
Most of the areas of the town went under water.
Khulna Deputy Commissioner Khandkar Yasir Arefin said about one lakh people are staying in shelters.
