Cyclone Remal - West Bengal: Joint Rapid Needs Assessment (May 2024)

Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal was a moderately intense and deadly tropical cyclone that affected West Bengal and Bangladesh in May 2024. Cyclone Remal made landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh on May 26, 2024, severely impacting the coastal regions of both areas. In West Bengal, the cyclone's ferocity was particularly felt across several coastal districts, including South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Kakdwip, Namkhana, Sagar Island, Diamond Harbour, Fraserganj, Bakkhali, and Mandarmani.

The cyclone's destructive force resulted in extensive damage to infrastructure and property, with power lines snapped, poles and trees uprooted, and roofs blown off thatched houses. The heavy rain and high tides led to damaged embankments and flooding in coastal areas, complicating the recovery efforts.

The state government evacuated over 207,060 people to 1,438 safe shelters to mitigate the impact of the cyclone. Despite these efforts, six lives were lost, and significant property damage was reported. According to media reports, around 2,500 houses were completely destroyed, and 27,000 others partially damaged, while more than 1,700 electric poles were brought down by the storm.