Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal[a] was a moderately intense and deadly
tropical cyclone that affected
West Bengal and
Bangladesh in May 2024.[3] It was the first depression and the first
cyclonic storm of the
2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season.[4] According to the
Bangladesh Meteorological Department, it turned into a cyclone from a deep depression on the evening of 25 May.[5] The cyclone made landfall on West Bengal's Sundarban Delta at 8:30 pm on Saturday, 26 May as a severe cyclonic storm. The storm's speed was between 100 and 135 kilometres per hour during landfall in the coastal area.[b][7] Remal killed at least 84 people including 65 in India and 19 in Bangladesh.[8][9][10][11] About 30 million people in Bangladesh and West Bengal were affected by power outages.[12]
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
After four months of inactivity, on 21 May, the
India Meteorological Department (IMD) began monitoring a cyclonic circulation in the Bay of Bengal.[13] Later that day, the
Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) would also begin tracking the system, noting that it was likely to become a monsoon depression.[14] The next day, the IMD noted that a low-pressure area had formed adjacent to the cyclonic circulation.[15] Late on 23 May, the IMD upgraded the system into a well-marked low, stating that it was rapidly coalescing.[16] The next day, the IMD stated that the depression formed in the Bay of Bengal, designating it as BOB 01.[17]
Subsequently, the JTWC issued a
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA), noting the depression's broad circulation center and its improving
rainbands.[18] The next day, BOB 01 intensified into a deep depression.[19] The JTWC would recognize the system as a cyclone, designating it as 01B.[20] Soon after, the depression intensified into a cyclonic storm, causing the IMD to name it Remal.[21]
Effects
Bangladesh
On the morning of May 26, the
Bangladesh Meteorological Department issued a distress signal number 10 in nine coastal districts.[22] The Meteorological Department issued a warning that
coastal 16 districts may be inundated by wind-driven
tides of 8 to 12 feet above normal.[23] About 8,000 to 9,000 shelters were prepared in the coastal districts of Bangladesh to evacuate people to safety.[24] In addition, the army, fire service, volunteers and other government institutions were kept ready for post-storm rescue operations. Operations at the
Port of Chittagong were suspended.[25]
Due to Remal, 19 people were killed in Bangladesh.[8]Rain and
gale-force winds were present in coastal areas starting from the morning of May 26. According to
Bangladesh's Ministry of Disaster Management, about 800,000 people in coastal areas were forced to leave their homes and seek shelter.[26] Wind speeds at the time of the main impact were between 100 and 135 kilometers per hour.[27] At this time, the high
tide of 5 to 7 feet broke the embankment and submerged a vast area of the coast, which resulted in damage to houses, crops, and livestock.[28] Two children went missing and 13 people were injured after a trawler sank in
Khulna.[29] More than 2.7 million people were without electricity and more than 27 thousand mobile network towers were down.[12][30] Traffic was disrupted in several areas after trees were uprooted on the road.[31] Flooding also occurred in
Dhaka,[32] where three people were fatally electrocuted by fallen electric wires.[33] Dhaka received 306 mm rainfall, and many trees were felled and branches snapped. It is the strongest cyclone to affect Dhaka since
Cyclone Sidr.[34] Severe waterlogging also occurred in
Chattogram and
Barisal.[35]
According to the Bangladesh Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, Cyclone Remal affected about 3.7 million people in 107
upazilas of 19
coastal districts. About 35,000 houses in Bangladesh were completely destroyed and 115,000 houses were partially damaged due to the impact of the cyclone.[36][37]
Damages estimated in Bangladesh alone is ₹7000 crore ($594 million in 2024)[38]
India
Cyclone Remal killed seven people and injured over 100 in
West Bengal.[9] The cyclone toppled 356 electricity poles,[39] destroyed 2,500 houses and damaged 27,000 others in the state.[40] Evacuations were ordered for more than 50,000 people in the
Sundarbans region.[41] The tidal surge of the cyclone reached over 10 feet of water and lasted over 36 hours in areas of the mangrove, destroyed or damaged hundreds of trees, and caused saltwater incursion in at least 80 freshwater ponds used by wildlife and locals for drinking water.[42] Many wildlife, including deer and wild boar, were killed due to the exceptional height of the tidal surge. At least 1,200 power poles had been uprooted and there was shortages of food. In
Kolkata, 394 flights were cancelled.[43] More than 400 trees were uprooted in and near Kolkata.[44] More than 260 mm of rain fell in Kolkata in 24 hours along with 130 km/h (81 mph) gusts of wind.[44] Heavy downpour had also led to flooding in various parts of Kolkata and disrupted services at the
Kolkata Metro due to the inundation of
Park Street and
Esplanade metro stations.[45][46] On 25 May, the
India Meteorological Department issued an emergency warning for the states of
Nagaland,
Manipur,
Mizoram and
Tripura due to the expected effects of the cyclone.[47] The cyclone also caused 13 deaths in
Telangana, including seven in
Nagarkurnool and four in
Hyderabad. Most of the deaths in the state were attributed to falling trees or collapsing structures.[48]
As the remnants of Cyclone Remal went towards
Northeast India, heavy rainfall triggered landslides, killing 40 people.[49] Damage was particularly severe in the state of
Mizoram where 30 people died,[50] including 17 due to the collapse of a stone
quarry in
Aizawl, with six others missing.[51] Landslides also blocked the
National Highway 6.[52] Four deaths and 18 injuries also occurred in
Assam, where 16 districts were affected by the floods.[53] In
Dhekiajuli, a tree fell on a school bus and injured 12 children.[54] In
Meghalaya, one person was killed and seven others were injured by a landslide.[55] The severe rainfall led to extensive flooding in
Guwahati and
Silchar, with more than 50% of Silchar and surrounding areas flooded.[56]
Charity Football Match for Cyclone Victims
The
Mizoram Football Association in collaboration with Mizo Professional Footballers Association held a charity football match on June 21, 2024. This match featured
ISL vs
I-League players from Mizoram to raise funds for Cyclone Remal victims.[57]