Cyclone Remal weakens but leaves trail of destruction in West Bengal
Guwahati: Cyclone Remal, which made landfall Sunday night between West Bengal and Bangladesh, is gradually weakening but has caused significant damage in West Bengal.
Wind gusts reaching 135 kmph uprooted trees, damaged homes, and knocked down power lines.
One person was injured by debris in the Sundarbans, and another in Kolkata due to a collapsed wall. Over 1 lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable areas in West Bengal before the storm hit.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts Remal will weaken into a cyclonic storm within the next few hours and then continue to weaken further as it moves northeast towards Assam.
Assam braces for heavy rain as Remal approaches. The IMD has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in seven districts and an orange alert for eleven others. Residents can expect extensive rain throughout Monday and Tuesday, with strong winds possible today.
The Indian Coast Guard is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
The WB government successfully evacuated around 1.10 lakh people to shelters ahead of the cyclone.
Bangladesh also felt Remal's impact. Over 8 lakh people were evacuated from coastal areas, with reports of one person swept away by storm surges and several injuries.