SITUATION OVERVIEW
The severe cyclonic storm Remal made landfall near the Mongla and Khepupara coasts in Bangladesh and West Bengal of India around 8:00 pm local time on 26 May 2024. The highest recorded wind speed was 111 km/h at 1:30 am on 27 May 2024, according to BMD in Khepupara of Patuakhali coastal district. The storm surge, accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall, caused flooding of 5-8 feet in the coastal districts.
According to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) under the MoDMR, the Tropical Cyclone Remal affects around 4.59 million people2 in 19 districts. Over 808,510 people have been evacuated to 9,424 evacuation shelters across 19 Districts. At least 16 people died across the seven districts. More than 170,000 houses were damaged. The most impacted districts are Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Jhalokathi and Bhola. Embankment breaching was reported in many parts of coastal areas and many villages were submerged by the tidal surge and heavy rainfall (due to the influence of cyclone Remal). Power outages have been widespread, and mobile and internet connectivity is limited, complicating communication and coordination. Around 27 million people in the coastal region of the country were without electricity for hours due to the impact of cyclone Remal. Ten international flights from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were cancelled due to the impact of cyclone Remal and adverse weather conditions.
The water sources and sanitation facilities in the affected districts were heavily damaged by the cyclone Remal, due to inundation caused by storm surges. The water sources have been contaminated with saline water resulting in limited potable water for drinking. On the other hand, the latrines in the houses of affected communities have been damaged by heavy storm winds and prolonged flooding caused by tidal surges and heavy rainfall. As a result, the affected people lack access to adequate sanitation and are at risk of waterborne diseases.
Routine expanded programme on immunization (EPI) outreach sessions have however been disrupted in all Upazilas (sub-districts) due to bad weather. In addition, pregnant women are at high risk due to the disruption of reproductive healthcare services. Many educational institutions in coastal districts were converted into temporary evacuation center during the cyclone made landfall.
Currently, the Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) with the support of its members including the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC), is conducting a rapid needs assessment to understand the overall impacts of the cyclone Remal, the current gaps and needs. This will also ensure a collective humanitarian response, reducing duplication, and localized impactful actions. More detailed information about damage and need are expected to be available in the coming days.