Attachments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal was a moderately intense and deadly tropical cyclone that affected West Bengal and Bangladesh in May 2024. Cyclone Remal made landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh on May 26, 2024, severely impacting the coastal regions of both areas. In West Bengal, the cyclone's ferocity was particularly felt across several coastal districts, including South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Kakdwip, Namkhana, Sagar Island, Diamond Harbour, Fraserganj, Bakkhali, and Mandarmani. The cyclone's destructive force resulted in extensive damage to infrastructure and property, with power lines snapped, poles and trees uprooted, and roofs blown off thatched houses. The heavy rain and high tides led to damaged embankments and flooding in coastal areas, complicating the recovery efforts. The state government evacuated over 207,060 people to 1,438 safe shelters to mitigate the impact of the cyclone. Despite these efforts, six lives were lost, and significant property damage was reported. According to media reports, around 2,500 houses were completely destroyed, and 27,000 others partially damaged, while more than 1,700 electric poles were brought down by the storm.
SECTORAL FINDINGS AND URGENT NEEDS
Food Nutrition and Livelihood: Cyclone Remal severely disrupted food security in West Bengal, with 30% of affected households having less than a week's worth of food. Reliance on government programs like the PDS and Anganwadi centers is high, but market and supply chain disruptions are widespread. Significant financial constraints and price hikes further exacerbate the crisis, with many households facing challenges in accessing fresh food and cooking facilities. Immediate and long-term interventions are crucial to restore food supply chains and enhance community resilience. Ensuring continuous access to government nutrition services is also a priority.
Immediate actions include emergency food aid, mobile distribution units, and financial assistance. Mid-term efforts focus on market rehabilitation, community kitchens, and nutrition education. Long-term strategies promote food source diversification, sustainable agriculture, and policy development for food security.
WASH: The cyclone severely impacted water and sanitation conditions in West Bengal, with over 6,500 households lacking access to safe drinking water. Many villages reported insufficient water availability, and post-disaster, there was a notable shift to less safe water sources. Sanitation infrastructure was heavily damaged, leading to increased open defecation and disrupted waste disposal services. Menstrual hygiene and access to handwashing facilities are critical issues, with significant shortages in menstrual products and soap. Immediate and long-term interventions are essential to restore safe water access, improve sanitation facilities, and ensure proper hygiene practices
Short-term efforts prioritize disinfection of drinking water sources, deployment of water tankers, and provision of hygiene kits. Mid-term actions focus on restoring water supply and sanitation infrastructure, and promoting water conservation. Long-term goals include sustainable WASH infrastructure, early warning systems, and equitable access to safe water and sanitation.
Education: The cyclone severely impacted the education sector in East Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas, with 54% of villages reporting non-functional schools or low student attendance. Many schools have been converted into relief camps, especially in South 24 Parganas (53%) and East Medinipur (47%), disrupting education. Power shortages and physical damage to school buildings are significant issues, affecting the functionality of schools. East Medinipur faces a more urgent need for educational material replacement, with 73% reporting damage compared to 39% in South 24 Parganas. Immediate interventions are required to restore school functionality and address infrastructure and resource deficiencies.
Immediate support includes temporary relocation, emergency repairs, and resource distribution for affected schools. Mid-term initiatives involve digital infrastructure projects, school rehabilitation, and transportation support. Long-term strategies advocate for policy reforms, community engagement, and monitoring educational interventions.
Health: The cyclone severely impacted health conditions in districts of West Bengal, necessitating emergency medical support, restoration of healthcare facilities, and mobile medical units. Immediate health needs include treating communicable and waterborne diseases, with significant reports of fever, cold, and gastrointestinal issues. Mental health support is crucial, with 17% in East Medinipur and 28% in South 24 Parganas reporting trauma. Health facility functionality is hampered by staff shortages and lack of supplies, affecting 47% of households in East Medinipur and 19% in South 24 Parganas. Urgent interventions are needed to address these health challenges and restore essential services.
Short-term measures involve emergency medical care, disease surveillance, and mental health support. Mid-term plans aim to upgrade health infrastructure, capacity building for healthcare workers, and improved access to essential medicines. Long-term goals focus on community health promotion, strengthening primary healthcare, and sustainable power solutions for health facilities.
Shelter: The cyclone severely impacted housing in East Medinipur and South 24 Parganas, with 2,718 houses fully damaged and 16,274 partially damaged. Immediate shelter is needed for 7,465 households, while 98% live in temporary accommodations. Accessibility for persons with disabilities in relief camps is generally good but requires improvement. Most households report displacement, significant damage to toilets, and inadequate support for repairs, with financial assistance and materials urgently needed for reconstruction. Top non-food needs include tarpaulin, bedding, and mosquito nets, alongside essentials like sanitary pads, medicines, and hygiene items.
Immediate actions include providing emergency shelter materials and establishing community-led shelter management. Mid-term efforts focus on repairing houses with disaster-resilient techniques, and training construction workers. Long-term strategies involve developing disaster-resilient building codes, promoting safe housing, and enhancing land-use planning.
Protection: The post-disaster assessment identifies significant protection concerns in East Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas, including limited security access, privacy issues, and domestic violence, with the latter notably higher in South 24 Parganas. Major protection issues include sexual abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, and lawlessness. East Medinipur reports higher vulnerability levels, with significant needs for safety, education, food security, and healthcare, especially for women and children. Immediate interventions are necessary to address these protection concerns and ensure comprehensive support for affected communities
Short-term measures include deploying security personnel, distributing menstrual hygiene kits, and awareness campaigns on gender-based violence. Mid-term plans focus on developing protocols for domestic violence, establishing community support groups, and training healthcare workers. Long-term goals aim to integrate protection concerns into disaster plans, invest in infrastructure, and advocate for policy reforms