The Impact of Tropical Cyclone Remal in Bangladesh
As the monsoon season kicks off in Bangladesh, the first tropical cyclone of the year, Remal, has made landfall, putting millions of people at risk of floods and landslides.
With wind speeds reaching up to 120 kmh, Remal has already impacted over two million people in Bangladesh and India. Prior to the storm’s arrival, over one million individuals were evacuated to safety, as the heavy rains and strong winds posed a threat to homes constructed from clay, wood, plastic sheets, straw, and tin.
Bangladesh’s state minister for disaster management and relief, Mohibbur Rahman, stated that the country has taken preemptive measures by setting up nearly 8,000 cyclone shelters and mobilizing close to 80,000 volunteers to assist those affected by the cyclone.
Rohingya Refugees Face Heightened Risks
Among those most vulnerable to the impacts of Cyclone Remal are the stateless Rohingya refugees. Having fled Myanmar due to ethnic and religious persecution, the Rohingya population is currently residing in makeshift camps that are highly susceptible to landslides and flooding.
Additionally, disaster relief efforts have been deployed in the Indian state of West Bengal, which shares a border with Bangladesh. Precautionary measures such as suspending flights from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, were taken in anticipation of the storm.
Fortunately, no casualties have been reported from Cyclone Remal as it weakened post-landfall. However, experts remain concerned about the increasing intensity of storms in the region, attributing it to climate change and highlighting the heightened risk posed to the population.
As we navigate through the monsoon season, it is crucial to support those affected by natural disasters and work collectively to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.
