India and Bangladesh prepare for the first cyclone of the year

India and Bangladesh gear up for the impending arrival of the year's initial cyclone, emphasizing preparedness and precautionary measures to mitigate potential damage and ensure the safety of residents.

DHAKA/KOLKATA, May 26 (Reuters) - Bangladesh and India are preparing for the arrival of cyclone Remal, the first of the year. According to India's meteorological department, the storm is expected to make landfall overnight, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 km/h (75 mph). Bangladesh's weather office has raised its storm danger signal to the highest level, 10, for two ports and nine coastal districts. Warnings have been announced through loudspeakers, and coastal evacuations have commenced.

"Since morning, close to 60,000 individuals have been relocated to shelters," stated Mijanur Rahman, head of Bangladesh's disaster management team, to Reuters. The coastal regions of Bangladesh and India, neighboring countries in South Asia, have witnessed frequent severe storms in recent times. For instance, Cyclone Yaas in 2021 rendered over 50,000 individuals homeless and claimed at least one life. Bangladesh has established around 8,000 cyclone shelters and deployed 78,000 volunteers, as stated by Mohibbur Rahman, the state minister for disaster management and relief, to Reuters.

India has activated its disaster relief force in the eastern state of West Bengal, where flights have been halted at the major metropolitan city of Kolkata. Portions of West Bengal are beginning to encounter periods of moderate rainfall, prompting the cancellation of leave for essential services personnel, according to a civic body official. Additionally, the Indian navy has confirmed readiness, with ships, aircraft, divers, and medical provisions on standby for potential deployment.

Somnath Dutta, head of the weather forecast section at the regional meteorological center in Kolkata, informed Reuters that the landfall of cyclone Remal is expected to occur between 11 PM and 1 AM. Images shared on the social media platform X depicted the disaster management team warning tourists at a beach in West Bengal. Furthermore, another official stated that several trains passing through areas affected by the cyclonic storm have been cancelled.

Source: Reuters‍