As storm clouds gathered, people battened down the hatches and sheltered in place, a lone boat ventured out to sea to capture Cyclone Remal on camera as it churned towards the coast, creating a now-viral video showcasing the storm’s immense power.
The video, shot by a daring videographer from Bangladeshi daily The Daily Star, depicts a towering column of dark clouds rolling across a gloomy sky, casting an ominous shadow over the heaving Bay of Bengal. As the storm surges, thunder rumbles and strong winds whip up tidal waves.
Cyclone Remal made landfall on Sunday night, slamming into the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara. The storm caused widespread devastation in both India and neighbouring Bangladesh, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Heavy rains accompanying the storm led to waterlogging in several areas, further compounding the woes of residents. Farmlands were also inundated by floodwaters. Power supply was snapped in many areas in advance to avoid accidents.
Homes, particularly those with thatched roofs, were severely damaged by the strong winds. Uprooted trees and downed power lines caused significant disruptions across the affected areas, and two people were killed in Kolkata.
The Bangladeshi government evacuated 8 lakh people from vulnerable areas before the storm’s arrival, moving them to shelters for safety. The country’s weather department had warned of potential high tidal surges and heavy rainfall in coastal districts like Satkhira and Cox’s Bazar.
According to The Daily Star, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded the highest rainfall in Kutubdia at 125 millimeters between Sunday night and Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Remal will weaken into a depression by Monday morning before moving northeast and gradually dissipating.
