21 killed as Cyclone Remal rips through Bangladesh

Masum Billah, Dhaka

Cyclone Remal, which ripped through Bangladesh on Sunday night, has claimed at least 21 lives and affected over 37.58 lakh people across 19 districts.

While the cyclone has weakened into a deep depression, hundreds of villages in the southern parts of the country remain submerged.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported that Cyclone Remal made landfall near Satkhira and Bagerhat with wind speeds reaching 111km per hour. After a night of havoc, the storm moved north and weakened by Monday (27 May) morning.

BMD, in its latest weather bulletin, said the land depression lies over Sylhet and the adjoining area and is likely to move northeastward and weaken gradually.

BMD has warned about persistent steep pressure gradients over the north Bay, which may result in continued squally weather affecting maritime ports, the north Bay, and adjacent coastal areas.

Heavy rainfall is expected in all districts of the Sylhet division from 11:30am to 6pm today, said Meteorologist Mostofa Kamal Polash, a PhD researcher on meteorology and climate at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.

He said moderate to heavy rain is also expected in the districts of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, as well as in the districts of the Mymensingh division.

Polash said Remal had suddenly started moving very fast, causing the clouds formed by the cyclone to move away from the country's western divisions.

"This has led to sunny weather since this morning," he said.

Bangladesh Met Office has issued local cautionary signal number three for Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra maritime ports as a precautionary measure.

It added that the bulletin advised fishing boats and trawlers operating in the north Bay to stay close to the coast and exercise caution until further notice.

Also Read: Cyclonic Storm "Remal" Weakens Over East Bangladesh, Remnants to Dissipate Soon