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Cyclone Remal wreaks havoc in West Bengal, Bangladesh after making landfall; 1 killed

Trees uprooted and power supply disrupted; flight and train services cancelled

Strong winds hit Kuakata beach on the coast of Bay of Bengal as Cyclone Remal advances in Barisal, Bangladesh | AP

Cyclone Remal, which made landfall on Sunday night, with heavy rain and gusty winds with a speed of up to 135 kmph pounding the West Bengal and Bangladesh. 

Several lakh of residents were left without power and trees were uprooted in the winds. The storm had reached West Bengal's Sagar Islands and Bangladesh's Mongla port, as per the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

"Severe cyclonic storm Remal made landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh on Sunday night with wind speeds reaching up to 135 kmph," the meteorological office said.

One person was killed in Kolkata after concrete chunks fell on him during the storm. Another person was injured after being struck by debris in the Sundarbans. 

Several fragile homes were flattened in the coastal areas. Roofs of thatched houses were blown away in East Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas districts. In Kolkata, homes and roads in low-lying areas were waterlogged.

Over one lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable areas in West Bengal to cyclone shelters, schools and colleges on Sunday afternoon. In Kolkata, the municipal authorities evacuated residents of high-rise buildings and dilapidated structures.

The cyclone has also disrupted train services in the region. At least 394 flights were delayed or cancelled.

In Bangladesh around eight lakh people were evacuated from Mongla and Chittagong port areas and adjoining coastal districts. Around 8,000 cyclone shelters were opened and 78,000 volunteers were mobilised, according to Reuters.

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