Cyclone Remal Claims 6 Lives In West Bengal; Election Campaigns Resume for Last Phase of LS Polls
6 people dead, over 2 lakh people evacuated, airport operations resume: WB govt report on Cyclone Remal
Six persons have died in cyclone Remal related incidents in West Bengal. Rain and gusty winds have stopped in two 24 Parganas districts, Kolkata and adjoining districts. Due to the effect of Remal, a large section is under water in the coastal areas of South and North 24 Parganas districts. Sea water has entered into agricultural land and fisheries in the coastal areas. People have started returning from government shelters to their homes.
Election Campaign activities have started again in Kolkata and South and North 24 Parganas districts for the 7th and last phase of Lok Sabha elections. 9 seats of the state will go to polls in this phase on 1st June. Some districts of North Bengal are receiving rainfall today.
The West Bengal government released a preliminary report on cyclone Remal.
Severe Cyclone Remal made landfall on Sunday at 22.30 hrs. between Sagar Island of South 24 Parganas & Khepupara, Bangladesh, close to Mongla port of Bangladesh, causing very heavy rainfall over coastal districts of South-24-Parganas, North-24-Parganas, Purba Medinipur and heavy rainfall over Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and Paschim Medinipur on 26th and 27th May, according to the report.
Windspeed reached 120 kmph over Sagar islands and at 90 kmph at Dum Dum. The rainfall received in Kolkata was 140 mm, Haldia 110mm and many places had more than 60 mm rainfall. Rainfall led to inundation in many areas of Sunderbans. The rainfall received in Kolkata was 140 mm, Haldia 110mm and many places had more than 60 mm rainfall. Rainfall led to inundation in many areas of Sunderbans, the report stated.
The entire administration was completely alert, and ready and worked 24×7 throughout the night to restore services and provide relief. Four persons died, one in Kolkata (due to wall collapse) and one in South-24-Paraganas (due to the falling of a tree), two in Purba Bardhaman (Electrocution). One person injured due to falling of a tree in Canning is admitted to SSKM hospital for treatment, informed the report.
Highlighting the response and restoration, the report stated that over 2 lakh people were evacuated to safer places and relief camps. 1,700 electric poles were damaged and many trees were uprooted due to high-speed wind mainly in South-24-Parganas and North-24-Parganas. Many trees that had fallen on the road were promptly cleared. Water logging has also been reported in some parts of Kolkata and teams are pumping out water to restore normal traffic.
Minor breaches of embankments were repaired immediately. No major breach of embankment has been reported so far.
Emphasising the relief provided, the report stated Airport operations had been shut down on May 26 and have now resumed operations.
More than 1400 relief camps are functioning in affected districts.
Cooked meals are being provided to them. Other persons evacuated have returned to their homes safely. Till now about 2,500 houses are reported to be fully damaged and a House Building grant will be provided to the affected as per existing SDRF norm of Rs 1.20 lakh for fully damaged after verification.
The report further added that for 27,000 Partially damaged houses also compensation will be provided after verification.
Tarpaulins, clothing and other relief materials have been and are being distributed to the affected families. The cyclone continues to cause light to moderate rainfall in most South Bengal districts and also other districts of West Bengal. There is a warning for heavy rainfall till May 28 and all the districts are working continuously for relief and rescue.
