Bengal: 1 dead in Kolkata as Cyclone Remal makes landfall
The severe cyclonic storm "Remal" made landfall between the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal, with winds reaching up to 135 kmph, late on Sunday. The storm brought heavy rains, flooding homes and farmland, and leaving widespread destruction. In Kolkata, a 51-year-old man died when a wall collapsed and chunks of concrete fell on him during the peak of the storm.
Cyclone Remal gradually weakening: IMD
Cyclone Remal made landfall at 8:30pm on Sunday, impacting the coastal areas between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh, southwest of Mongla. The cyclone has caused extensive damage and disruption, leading to the evacuation of nearly a million people over the past two days. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Remal began moving northwards and gradually weakening on Monday.
Emergency meetings ahead of landfall
Earlier on Sunday, before landfall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting to assess readiness for Cyclone Remal in the North Bay of Bengal. West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose had also conducted an emergency review meeting on the cyclone. On Monday morning, Governor Bose led the Rapid Action Force of Raj Bhavan to areas affected by Remal. Teams from the Kolkata Municipality and Kolkata Police Disaster Management are also actively clearing uprooted trees in the Alipore area.
Watch: Trees uprooted in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal
Transportation and electricity supply hit
Separately, millions have been left without electricity after electric poles toppled during the storm. Air, rail, and road transportation in Kolkata and southern Bengal were significantly disrupted due to Cyclone Remal. The Eastern and South Eastern Railways cancelled several trains while Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport suspended flight operations for 21 hours. According to reports, nine disaster relief teams are on standby with two Indian Navy ships prepared with supplies and medical aid.
University exams rescheduled
Additionally, exams scheduled for Monday, May 27, have been postponed due to the severe weather conditions. Presidency University registrar Debajyoti Konar issued a notice saying undergraduate and postgraduate 2nd-semester exams were deferred to June 18. St Xavier's College rescheduled the 2nd and 4th semester examinations to May 30 and June 3. Jadavpur University (JU) and Calcutta University (CU) also rescheduled exams with new dates to be announced soon.
Watch: Waterlogging persists in Kolkata
Heavy rainfall warning in West Bengal
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall will continue over West Bengal's coastal and eastern districts near Bangladesh until Monday. Light to moderate rainfall is anticipated across most areas on Monday and Tuesday, with heavy rainfall in isolated locations in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura. Fishermen have been advised to avoid the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea until May 27.
