Bangladesh Braces for Cyclone Remal: Massive Evacuations Underway

May 26, 2024 6:44 am

Bangladesh is on high alert as Cyclone Remal approaches, with authorities issuing the highest level of warning for several coastal regions. The Met Office has advised that great danger signal 10 be hoisted for Mongla and Payra ports, along with nine coastal districts, indicating the severity of the impending storm.

The districts under the great danger signal 10 include Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Barguna, Barishal, Bhola, and Patuakhali. Additionally, the maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been instructed to hoist great danger signal 9.

As of 9am this morning, Cyclone Remal was positioned 380 kilometers southwest of Chattogram port and 340 kilometers southwest of Cox’s Bazar. It was also 295 kilometers south of Mongla and 265 kilometers south of Payra. The storm is expected to move further north and intensify, potentially making landfall this afternoon.

The cyclone is currently packing sustained winds of 90 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour. The sea around the cyclone’s center is extremely rough, posing significant risks to maritime activities.

In anticipation of the storm, large-scale evacuations are underway in the affected districts. Authorities are relocating residents from low-lying coastal areas to safer locations to mitigate the impact of the expected tidal surge. The Met Office has warned that the coastal regions could experience a tidal surge of eight to twelve feet above normal levels, which may lead to widespread flooding.

Meteorologist Md Hafizur Rahman, in a special bulletin, highlighted the potential for heavy rainfall across the entire country due to Cyclone Remal. This rain, combined with the tidal surge, could exacerbate flooding and lead to severe disruptions in daily life.

Local governments and disaster management teams are on high alert, coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of residents. Shelters have been prepared, and emergency services are mobilized to respond to any incidents resulting from the cyclone.

As Cyclone Remal bears down on Bangladesh, the nation prepares for a challenging ordeal, with the hope that proactive measures will minimize the storm’s impact and safeguard lives and property.