This year’s first cyclonic storm hit the Bangladesh coast around 8pm on Sunday before tidal surges coupled with heavy rainfall and gusty winds from its impact inundated many coastal areas and killed a person in Patuakhali.
Rains were reported in the capital as well.
Thousands of people had already been affected in the areas before the storm made landfall, with the power supply snapped due to gusts. The storm began lashing the coasts with a wind speed of up to 120km per hour (kph) in the evening.
Considering the severity of the natural disaster, the government cancelled the leave of officials of all ministries, divisions and subordinate offices. The move was aimed at tackling the possible aftermath of Cyclone Remal.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman announced the cancellation of leaves after an inter-ministerial meeting at the secretariat in the morning.
He said: “We have made all preparations to deal with the disaster. We have the capacity and experience. If everyone follows the instructions, we hope that we will be able to deal with this disaster as successfully as before.”
The state minister said 7,000 to 8,000 shelters are ready to provide shelter to people.
“Adequate dry food, biscuits, water and medical supplies have reached all the shelters," he said, adding that the armed forces are also ready.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is constantly monitoring the situation, he added.
The Disaster Management Ministry said it has mobilised tens of thousands of volunteers to motivate and help the people in danger move to shelters or safer places.
Local authorities had evacuated 800,000 people to cyclone centres from coastal areas by Sunday afternoon.
Meteorologists warned that the severe storm could uproot trees and cause major damage to thatched homes, as well as disrupt power and communication systems.
When Remal entered Bangladesh
The front part of the cyclone struck the Satkhira coast around 6pm. The centre of the cyclone was supposed to cross the area in four hours.
Due to the rough sea, the Payra and Mongla ports were advised to keep great danger signal No. 10 hoisted, while great danger signal No. 9 was hoisted for the Cox's Bazar and Chittagong seaports.
The Met office at 8:15pm said that the centre of the cyclone was crossing from Mongla upazila of Bagerhat to Patuakhali’s Khepupara.
At 10pm, the cyclonic storm was projected to move northward and cross the coastline in two hours.
Md Azizur Rahman, deputy director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), briefing the media, said: “Heavy rainfall has started with strong storms in all coastal districts.
“The size of the cyclone is around 400 km. Its front side is the area along the Sundarbans in Khulna, causing the heavy downpour,” he said.
According to the Indian Met office, the cyclone was expected to reach maximum wind speeds of up to 120kmph, with gusts up to 135kmph hitting West Bengal’s Sagar Island and Bangladesh’s southwestern Khepupara area.
Sufferings in coastal districts
Before the initial blow of Cyclone Remal, saltwater overflowed a dyke in Khulna's Koyra Upazila, forcing almost 40,000 people to seek refuge in 116 shelters.
Most rivers in the Barisal Division were flowing above the danger level on Sunday, with Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials fearing higher water levels during the next tide.
Rohingya refugees residing in the landslide-prone areas of Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas of Cox's Bazar were living in fear as Cyclone Remal was approaching the Bangladesh coast on Sunday.
The Cyclone Remal has led to the inundation of the Sundarbans mangrove forest with tidal surges.
Azad Kabir, the officer-in-charge of the Sundarbans Karamjal Tourism and Wildlife Breeding Centre in the eastern division of the Sundarbans, reported that the water level in the forest has surged four feet above its usual mark.
While water pressure is expected to rise, the official assured that wildlife residing in the forest will not be harmed.
At least 14 villages were submerged in Noakhali’s Hatia Upazila.
No fewer than 15,000 people were marooned in Bhola.