Severe cyclone 'Remal' leaves devastation in its wake as it makes landfall in coastal West Bengal
cyclonic storm 'Remal' made landfall between the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal, bringing heavy rains that flooded homes and farmland, and leaving a trail of destruction. The landfall process began at 8:30 pm on Sunday over the adjacent coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara, near the southwest of Mongla in the neighbouring country.
'Remal' flattened fragile dwellings, uprooted trees and knocked down electric poles. One person was injured after being hit by debris in the Gosaba area of the Sundarbans.
More than one lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable areas in West Bengal before the cyclone struck.
«Severe cyclonic storm Remal made landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh on Sunday night with wind speeds reaching up to 135 kmph,» the meteorological office said.
News footage showed gigantic tidal waves crashing into a seawall in coastal resort town of Digha.
The vast coastline was blurred by thick sheets of rain as the cyclone made landfall, with surging waters sweeping fishing boats inland and inundating mud-and-thatch houses and farmlands in low-lying areas.
In Kolkata's Bibir Bagan area, one person was injured when a wall collapsed due to a heavy downpour.
Reports from North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts stated roofs of thatched houses were blown away, electric poles twisted and trees uprooted in several areas.
Streets and homes in low-lying areas adjoining Kolkata were inundated.
The West Bengal
