Waterlogging in Kolkata, destruction across Bengal coast as Remal makes landfall

The storm brought with it heavy rains, which continued into Monday morning, flooding homes and farmlands. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Cyclone Remal News Live Updates, Kolkata Weather Today: Cyclone Remal brought with it a trail of destruction in parts of West Bengal as it made a landfall over the coastal areas of the state and Bangladesh Sunday night.

Heavy rains continue to lash parts of Bengal, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and property as roofs of thatched huts were blown away, trees were uprooted and electric poles were knocked down, news agency PTI reported. Ahead of the cyclone’s landfall, over 1 lakh people were evacuated from coastal regions of Bengal, including the Sundarbans and Sagar Island, to secure shelters as a precautionary measure.

Efforts to restore normalcy are underway, with emergency services working to clear debris and restore power in affected areas, according to PTI. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The Bengal government initiated relief measures, providing food, drinking water and medical assistance to the affected population, the report stated.

In view of Remal’s landfall, Kolkata airport, on Saturday, announced the suspension of flight operations for 21 hours from afternoon today. The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata also suspended all cargo and container handling operations for 12 hours from the evening, officials said. Railway operations in the port area have also been suspended during that time, officials said.

Cyclone Remal Live: Follow this space to get all the latest updates about Cyclone Remal, expected to hit Sagar Islands in West Bengal on May 26.

Cyclone India West Bengal Odisha Clouds hover over 'Muri Ganga' River ahead of the landfall of cyclone 'Remal', in South 24 Parganas district, Friday. (PTI Photo)

Cyclone Remal will make landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Bangladesh’s Khepupara on Sunday midnight, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. This is the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this pre-monsoon season and will be named Remal, according to a system of naming cyclones in the Indian Ocean region. The system will strengthen into a cyclonic storm by Saturday morning and further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Saturday night.