Cyclone Remal
Highlights-
- Cyclone Remal made landfall after 8:00pm on Sunday
- 1.5 lakh homes destroyed or damaged
- Loss in fisheries sector over Tk 482 crore
- 2.7 crore people left without power
- 15,000 mobile towers offline
Find the latest updates on Cyclone Remal below --
6:29pm, May 28
PM to visit cyclone-hit areas on Thursday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit cyclonic storm Remal-hit areas in Patuakhali on Thursday.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
4:37pm, May 28
EC suspends elections to 3 upazilas
The Election Commission today suspended the elections to three upazilas in Chandpur and Netrokona districts -- due to Cyclone Remal.
The three upazilas -- Kachua and Faridganj under Chandpur and Khaliajuri under Netrokona -- were scheduled to go for the third phase elections tomorrow.
04:37pm, May 28
Depression lies over Sylhet, seaports asked to hoist signal 3
The land depression now lies over Sylhet and adjoining area and is likely to move north eastwards and weaken gradually.
Under its influence steep pressure gradient persists over the North Bay, according to latest weather situation released by the storm warning centre of the meteorological department today.
3:45pm, May 28
5 more deaths reported from Pirojpur, Jhalakathi
Cyclone Remal has claimed lives of five more people in Pirojpur and Jhalakathi yesterday.
Among the deceased in Pirojpur, two men died after trees fell on them and a child drowned during the storm, Mohammad Jahedur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Pirojpur, told our local correspondent.
3:45pm, May 28
The resilience of cyclone survivors
On Sunday, as the news ticker kept on updating about Cyclone Remal, a few colleagues of mine expressed concern about coming to work the next day, dreading the deluge from the resulting rain in Dhaka. Being a Dhakaite myself, I understood their concern as an hour of rain can paralyse parts of the city with waterlogging and the consequent traffic congestion, but at that moment, it felt like a peevish complaint. My thoughts, instead, travelled about 320 kilometres south to Shyamnagar, Satkhira.
3:03pm, May 28
11 vessels brought back to Ctg port jetties; loading, unloading resume
Vessels started coming back to the main jetties of Chattogram port two days after the jetties were vacated by shifting 19 vessels towards sea ahead of the impact from Cyclone Remal.
Eventually, major operational activities of loading and unloading of containers at the port jetties resumed around 1:30pm today after over two days of suspension.
2:26 pm, May 28
Launch services resume after two days
Launch operations on inland waterways from Dhaka resumed this noon after two days of suspension due to Cyclone Remal.
The launch movement started at 12:00pm after Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) withdrew the warning signal, said a press release of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) undersigned by Public Relations Officer Ehteshamul Parvez today.
1:35 pm, May 28
4 die in separate incidents of electrocution in Dhaka
Four persons, including two women, lost their lives after being electrocuted in various parts of the capital amid gusty winds and rain caused by Cyclone Remal last night.
The deceased were identified as Rakib, 25, a rickshaw puller; Mariyam Begum, 45, a garment worker; Liza Akter, 16, a factory worker; and Al Amin, 17, a sawmill worker.
1:20 pm, May 28
10 killed as stone quarry collapses in India's Mizoram
At least 10 people have been killed and several others remain missing after a stone quarry collapsed in north eastern Indian state Mizoram's Aizawl district this morning.
The incident occurred around 6:00am in an area between Melthum and Hlimen on the southern outskirts of Aizawl, coinciding with heavy rainfall under the influence of Cyclone Remal.
12:45 pm, May 28
Firefighter dies of electrocution while removing trees in Khagrachhari
A firefighter was electrocuted to death early today while removing trees uprooted during Cyclone Remal in Khagrachhari.
The deceased, identified as 21-year-old Rasel Hossain, was a member of the district's fire service, said Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD).
12:33 pm, May 28
'Never saw water level this high'
Cyclone Remal battered Pirojpur yesterday leaving behind a trail of destruction, inundating many parts of the district, uprooting trees and damaging houses.
The devastating cyclone stranded thousands of people in the south-western district after flooding several villages. The storm also washed away croplands, fish farms, and disrupted electricity connections for over 24 hours
9:28am, May 28
Cyclone Remal damages 3,074 hectares of cropland in Jashore
Cyclone Remal has damaged 3,074 hectares of cropland in Jashore while making its way through the district yesterday, according to local Department of Agriculture Extension.
12am, May 28
Remal leaves trail of havoc in its wake
Cyclone Remal has killed at least 13 people, destroyed more than 35,000 homes, and seriously affected more than 37 lakh people in 19 districts.
The storm, which made landfall near Khepupara of Patuakhali with wind speeds of up to 130kmph Sunday evening, turned into a deep depression yesterday and was moving north-eastwards.
12am, May 28
Cyclones now last longer
Remal was part of a new trend of cyclones that take their time before making landfall, are slow-moving, and cause significant downpours, flooding coastal areas and cities.
Even though Remal started battering the Bangladesh coast since Sunday afternoon, its effects on the country's weather will remain until at least this afternoon, said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
8:16 pm, May 27
PM to visit cyclone-hit areas: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit the cyclone-hit areas once the weather situation improves.
7:53 pm, May 27
Southern districts face power cuts for over 36 hrs
Parts of southern districts have been suffering from power cuts for more than 36 hours till this evening.
From Sunday morning till 6:00pm today, at least 2.70 crore subscribers of two power distributors out of 4.50 crore were out of electricity, according to the data of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB).
6:45 pm, May 27
No vessel could come back to jetty for rough sea
No vessel could be brought back to the jetties of Chattogram port by today afternoon due to the existing rough sea and inclement weather, suspending operational activities at the port for the second consecutive day.
The full team of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) pilots waited at ghat number 15 at Patenga near Karnaphuly estuary for over four hours since 10 am but failed to cross the sea for getting on board the 19 vessels to bring those back to jetties.
6:26 pm, May 27
Over 37 lakh people affected due to Cyclone Remal: minister
At least 37,58,096 people in 19 districts of the coastal region of the country have been affected by Cyclone Remal, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibbur Rahman said today.
In addition, 107 upazilas and 914 unions and municipalities have been affected. As many as 35,483 houses have been completely destroyed while 1,14,992 houses partially damaged," said the state minister.
4:07 pm, May 27
Fish farmers in Khulna incur loss of Tk 168cr
Hundreds of fish enclosures have been washed away in Khulna due to Cyclone Remal, causing Tk 168 crore financial loss to the farmers.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md Abdul Halim told the Daily Star, "According to primary data, the total number of people affected by Remal is 4,52,200. And 76,904 houses were damaged and the loss from fisheries were estimated over Tk 168 crore".
3:49 pm, May 27
Cyclone Remal death toll rises to 10
The death toll from Cyclone Remal, which smashed into low-lying areas of Bangladesh last night, has risen to at least 10 people, with more than 30,000 homes destroyed and tens of thousands more damaged, officials said.
Seven people died in the Barishal division, said Mohammad Showkat Ali, divisional commissioner of Barishal, where seven people died.
2:53 pm, May 27
Remal leaves 2.22cr people without power
Power supply to 2.22 crore consumers of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), out of its total 3.58 crore, has been suspended following the landfall of Cyclone Remal yesterday.
2:05 pm, May 27
Cyclone disrupts 10,000 telecom towers, leaving millions out of mobile service
Power outage due to cyclone Remal has caused over 10,000 mobile towers or base transceiver stations (BTS) to go out of service, affecting the mobile and internet services of millions of people in the southern districts.
2:05 pm, May 27
Operations resume at Ctg port
Operations at Chittagong Port have resumed after the authorities lowered its own highest security Alert No. 4 as Cyclone Remal crossed the coastal area and moved into land.
It has issued Alert No. 1 at 11:00am today.
1:27pm, May 27
Things you can do to protect your electronics during a storm
Thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall can be unpredictable. You never know when thunder will strike close to you and leave you with damages, especially to your electronic devices. They often require safety measures and precautions become more imperative during inclement weather. Here are 3 things you can do to ensure protection for your electronics.
12:38 pm, May 27
Heavy rainfall inundates most low-lying areas of Ctg city
Incessant heavy rain since this morning caused by Cyclone Remal has inundated several low-lying areas of Chittagong city.
Patenga Met Office recorded 132 millimetres of rainfall in three hours till 9:00am today while 73.4 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours till 6:00am, said MHM Mosaddek Ali, the duty forecasting officer.
11:59 am, May 27
PDB cuts power production by half
Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) today cut electricity generation by more than half of its usual production, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power across the country.
PDB has switched off many power plants in the coastal areas as a safety measure due to Cyclone Remal.
11:54 am, May 27
Man dies as wall collapses on him in Ctg
A man died when a wall collapsed on him at an under-construction site in Baizid Bostami in Chattogram, triggered by heavy rain caused by Cyclone Remal this morning.
The incident occurred at 8:30am in the Chandranagar area, said the fire service and police.
11:23 am, May 27
'Remal' weakens into land deep depression, now lies over Jashore
The severe cyclonic storm "Remal" over Koyra of Khulna has moved northwards and weakened into a land deep depression, according to the latest BMD bulletin.
It is now lying over over Jashore and adjoining area.
11:05AM, May 27
3 flights diverted from Ctg airport for rough weather
Three flights were diverted from Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram this morning due to high speed of wind and heavy rain caused by Cyclone Remal.
10:38 am, May 27
Dhaka commuters suffer in morning rain
Under the influence of Cyclone Remal, heavy rain started to pour in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, along with gusty winds since this morning, making life difficult for commuters, especially the office-goers.
Due to limited availability of public transport in the capital, people had to wait a very long time to get to their destinations.
9:49am, May 27
Flight operations resume at Chattogram airport after 17 hours
Flight operations resumed at Chattogram Shah Amanat international Airport at 5:00am today amid heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Remal.
The airport remained closed from 12:00pm yesterday due to the adverse weather and warning of Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
8:41am, May 27
Cyclone Remal completes crossing coast, now lies over Khulna's Koyra
The severe cyclonic storm "Remal" has moved northwards inland, completed crossing the coast and now lies over Koyra in Khulna, according to the latest BMD bulletin.
It will move northwards further and weaken into a cyclonic storm within 2-3 hours by giving precipitation gradually.
6am, May 27
Ctg port on highest security alert for Cyclone Remal
All operational activities, including loading, unloading and delivery of cargo, were suspended at the Chattogram port yesterday morning as the port authority issued its highest security alert No 4 as a safety measure against Cyclone Remal.
10pm, May 26
Elderly man dies en route to shelter in Satkhira
An elderly man died while going to a shelter on a bicycle during a storm caused by Cyclone Remal in Satkhira's Shyamnagar this evening.
The deceased is Shawkat Morol, 65, of Napitkhali village under Gabura union of the upazila, reports our Satkhira correspondent.
09:00pm, May 26
Cyclone Remal makes landfall
Cyclone Remal has made landfall in Bangladesh, crossing Patuakhali's Khepupara area and West Bengal's Sagar Island with rain and strong stormy winds.
Meteorologist Dr Shameem Hassan Bhuiyan of Met office said Remal starting crossing Patuakhali coasts from 8:00pm today.
The eye of the cyclonic storm is scheduled to cross Bangladesh between 12:00-1:00am Monday after which the cyclone is expected to weaken.
08:00pm, May 26
Hajj flight cancelled in Ctg
At least 317 hajj pilgrims were sent to the Dhaka airport from Chattogram today after a hajj flight of Biman Bangladesh was cancelled due to the shutdown of airport centring Cyclone Remal.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines' Chattogram District Manager Md Shahadat Hossain nine buses ferrying the pilgrims left for Dhaka airport at 5:00pm.
07:04pm, May 26
Youth killed in tidal surge in Patuakhali
A youth was swept away in a tidal surge caused by Cyclone Remal this afternoon in the Kawar Char area of Patuakhali's Kalapara upazila.
The deceased is Shariful Islam, 24, of Anantapara area of the upazila, reports our Patuakhali correspondent quoting police.
Quoting locals, Mahipur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Anwar Hossain Talukder said Sharif was swept away by floodwaters while trying to save his mother-in-law and sister from the storm around 1:00pm when the Kawar Char went under 5-7ft of water due to a tidal surge.
Locals recovered the body from the same place after an hour.
06:30pm, May 26
27,000 Rohingyas at risk of landslides
Around 27,000 Rohingyas are at risk of landslides due to the rain influenced by Cyclone Remal.
Preparations have been taken to reduce the risk of Rohingyas due to the cyclone, said Mohammad Samsuddauza, additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner.
06:00pm, May 26
Agunmukha flowing a foot above danger level
Water Development Board, Patuakhali Executive Engineer Md Arif Hossain said during high tide, the river water flowed one foot above the danger level.
Due to this, many areas were flooded due to tidal surge. Geo bags are being thrown to protect the embankment of Agunmukha river in Galachipa, he said.
05:30pm, May 26
35,000 take shelter in Patuakhali
Patuakhali District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Suman Debnath said at least 35,000 people have taken shelter in various cyclone shelters in the district till 5:00pm today.
It has been raining with gusty winds since the morning. The sea has been rough, he added.
05:04pm, May 26
Sundarbans: Bangladesh's shield against cyclones
The coastline of Bangladesh has been hammered by cyclones over and over since time immemorial. Situated at the tip of the Bay of Bengal, this region is one of the most susceptible places in the entire world when it comes to cyclones and storm surges.
But if nature puts us in the way of harm, nature also has its own ways of protecting us. The Sundarbans, a green shield on Bangladesh's south-western coast, has protected us from numerous deadly cyclones. Remal, the latest in the line of devastating cyclones coming from the Bay of Bengal, is set to make landfall this evening on the same south-western coast, along the Bangladesh-India border.
04:07pm, May 26
Over 8 lakh people evacuated to shelters
Over 8 lakh people have so far been evacuated to shelters as cyclone Remal is approaching the Bangladesh coast, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman.
He urged the people of 16 coastal districts to go to cyclone centres immediately for their safety.
04:02pm, May 26
Bangabandhu Tunnel to be shut for 12 hours
Bangabandhu Tunnel will remain closed from this evening to Monday morning as Cyclone Remal is expected to make land fall in the coming hours.
3.54pm, May 26
Remal likely to make landfall between 6pm and 10pm
The severe cyclonic storm Remal is expected to make landfall between West Bengal's Sagar Island and the Khepupara coast near Mongla between 6:00pm and 10:00pm, according to the latest weather bulletin from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
03:35pm, May 26
No classes at coastal area schools due to cyclone
No classes will be held at schools in the coastal areas due to Cyclone Remal, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibur Rahman.
He said this after a meeting of the inter-ministerial disaster management coordination committee at the secretariat today.
2:47pm, May 26
Leave of all govt officials cancelled
Leave of officials of all ministries, divisions and subordinate offices have been cancelled to tackle the possible aftermath of Cyclone Remal.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman announced it after an inter-ministerial meeting at the secretariat on Sunday.
1pm, May 26
Ctg airport suspends flight operation for 8hrs
Authorities of Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram have suspended its flight operation for eight hours from 12:00pm today as cyclone Remal is heading towards Bangladesh.
12pm, May 26
All operations suspended at Ctg port
Chattogram Port Authority has issued Alert No 4 this morning suspending all operations in the port as Cyclone Remal heads towards the coast.
Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Md Omar Faruk told The Daily Star said they issued their own highest security alert immediately after the latest announcement from the met office to hoist danger signal No. 9 for the port.
11:19am, May 26
Cyclone Remal may make landfall anytime between evening and midnight
A meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department said Cyclone Remal may make landfall at evening today.
BMD meteorologist Abul Kalam Mallik said, "We estimate that its speed may be 110 to 120 kmph when it reaches land. Maximum speed may hit 130 kmph."
9:52 am, May 26
Great danger signal number 10 for Mongla, Payra
Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked to hoist great danger signal no 10 for Mongla and Payra ports as cyclonic storm Remal over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining area has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.
9:39 am, May 26
359 shelters ready in Bagerhat to combat Cyclone Remal
Panic has gripped the residents of the coastal areas of Bagerhat as Cyclone "Remal" in the Bay of Bengal continues to approach the coast.
During an emergency meeting last night, Bagerhat District Commissioner Md Khalid Hossain said that the district has prepared 3,505 volunteers, 88 medical teams, and 359 shelters to tackle the cyclone.
8:16am, May 26
Biman suspends all Cox's Bazar-bound flights today
National carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced the suspension of its flights to Cox's Bazar for today due to Cyclonic storm Remal.
Besides, flights of BG395 and BG391 to Kolkata will remain suspended today and tomorrow, respectively, said Bosra Islam, general manager of the Public Relations Wing of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
What do signals 1-11 mean for ports during storms?
With the impending Cyclone Remal approaching, let's have a look at what each of the signal means > HERE
12am, May 26
Cyclone Remal: Storm surges feared in 15 dists
The deep depression over the Bay turned into Cyclone Remal last night, the Dhaka Met office said.
It asked the Payra and Mongla maritime ports to hoist danger signal No 7 and Cox's Bazar and Chattogram sea ports danger signal No 6.
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