14 killed, 37 lakh affected in Remal rampage

19 coastal districts in the country have been rampaged due to severe force of Cyclone Remal on Monday. 14 people got killed in this cyclone that continued for over 14 hours. More than one and half lakh houses were totally or partially destroyed and 37.5 lakh people were damaged. Trees were uprooted and fell on many houses and roads. More than 100 villages were submerged due to the tidal flood created by Remal. Thousands of shrimp cages were washed way as well. The day long rain created water clogging in many places and the risk of landslide is created.

According to the information sent by the correspondents of The Bangladesh Pratidin, 14 people died in Cyclone Remal. Three killed in Barisal, three in Bhola, three in Patuakhali and one in Chittagong, Khulna, Satkhira, Kushtia and Lakshmipur. However, the death of 10 people was officially reported till Monday afternoon.

The front of the cyclone hit the coast around 8pm on Sunday. Although they started crossing the coast through Khepupara in Patuakhali, they ran rampant throughout the night. Sustained winds were 90 km/h within 64 km of the cyclone center, increased to 120 km/h with gusts. Payra and Mongla seaports were asked to display distress signal number 10 and Chittagong and Cox's Bazar seaports to display distress signal number 9 as the cyclone became severe. Remal became weak on Monday morning after raging all night. In this situation, in the morning, the seaports are asked to lower the number 10 distress signal and show the number 3 local warning signal. After that, light to heavy rain continued to fall in different districts under the influence of Remal throughout the day, along with strong storm or gusty wind.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibbur Rahman said in the conference room of the ministry Monday afternoon about the situation after the cyclone that at least 10 people died in the coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Barisal, Patuakhali, Bhola and Chittagong due to the strong cyclone Rimal. Many areas have been inundated due to the flood.

State Minister said the affected districts are Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalkathi, Barisal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Bhola, Feni, Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Narail, Gopalganj, Shariatpur and Jessore. The number of affected upazilas is 107 and 914 unions and municipalities were also affected. The number of affected people is 37, 58,096. 35, 483 houses were completely destroyed and the number of partially destroyed houses was 1, 14, 992.

The state minister said 9,424 shelters have been opened in the coastal areas. More than 8 lakh people have taken shelter in these shelters and local educational institutions. The number of animals taken shelter there including cow-buffalo, goat-sheep were 52, 146. Already 6 crore 85 lakhs have been paid in favor of the victims. Out of which, 3 crore 85 lakhs in cash, along with 5, 500 metric tons of rice, 5,000 packets of dry food were facilitated. Moreover, Tk 1 crore 50 lakhs for buying baby food and 1 crore 50 lakhs for buying catt;le food have been paid in 15 districts.

The State Minister expects everyone's cooperation in all other post-disaster activities including rescue operations.

Meanwhile, due to the impact of Cyclone Remal, there has been heavy rain with gusty winds in the capital since Monday morning. This weather will remain the same on Tyuesday. Meteorologists said that 125 millimeters of rain fell in Dhaka till 4 pm on Monday.

(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on May 28 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque Khan)