Cyclone Remal, which made landfall in Bangladesh on Sunday night, has claimed at least 12 lives across Bangladesh and neighboring India.
Mohibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s deputy minister for disaster management, reported 10 fatalities in the country’s coastal districts. Two additional deaths were confirmed in India’s West Bengal state.
The cyclone caused widespread damage, affecting over 3.7 million people in Bangladesh and destroying more than 150,000 homes.
Power outages and telecommunication disruptions further hampered relief efforts, with 45 districts experiencing mobile network issues.
Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Md Tofail Islam highlighted the communication challenges, stating that information gathering was difficult due to power and network losses.
Shelters overflowed as thousands sought refuge from the storm.
Md. Nazmul Hussein Khan, a Khulna district official, detailed the devastation in his district alone. Over 452,000 people were impacted, with more than 76,900 households destroyed.
Widespread agricultural damage was also reported, with crops on over 12,700 hectares of land and 5,575 shrimp enclosures lost.
Arabinda Biswas, an official from Bagerhat district, another heavily affected area, mentioned the destruction of 45,000 homes and the ongoing power outages in submerged villages.
UNICEF Bangladesh warned that 8.4 million people, including 3.2 million children, are at risk of severe consequences due to the cyclone’s impact on health, sanitation, and access to food and water.
While India fared better, West Bengal state reported two deaths and damage to trees and houses.
Flight operations resumed at Kolkata’s international airport after a temporary closure on Sunday.
India’s National Disaster Response Force is actively assisting with restoration efforts alongside local agencies.
