Tropical storm Remal wreaked havoc across southern Bangladesh and eastern India on Monday, flooding dozens of coastal villages and leaving nearly 30 million people without power. At least 10 fatalities were reported in Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh’s junior minister for disaster management and relief, Mohibbur Rahman, about 3.7 million people along the coast were affected by the storm. Over 35,000 homes were destroyed, while nearly 115,000 sustained damage. In anticipation of the storm’s impact, nearly 800,000 individuals were evacuated from vulnerable areas on Sunday.
Bangladesh, a delta nation with a population of nearly 170 million, has a history of violent storms. Although disaster preparedness programs have bolstered the capacity to respond to natural disasters, changing climate patterns have intensified storms, underscoring the urgency of preparedness efforts.
Remal weakened after making landfall in Bangladesh’s Patuakhali district early Monday, with sustained winds reaching 111 kilometers (69 miles) per hour. While the storm is expected to diminish throughout the day, India’s Meteorological Department cautioned of heavy showers over Assam and other northeastern states for the next two days.
In response to the storm, Kolkata airport in India resumed operations after a temporary closure on Sunday. However, Bangladesh’s Chattogram airport remained shut, and all domestic flights to and from the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar were cancelled. Operations at Chittagong seaport were also suspended.
Pakistan Grapples with Intense Heatwave
In Pakistan, temperatures soared above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in several areas, including the southern district of Sukkur, as an intense heatwave gripped the region.
Forecasters predict that the heatwave will persist for several more days, prompting doctors to treat numerous heatstroke victims across the country.
Relief efforts are underway, with volunteers setting up heatstroke relief camps to provide iced water to residents in Sukkur. However, some residents lamented the lack of government assistance in coping with the extreme heat.
To escape the scorching temperatures, many have sought refuge in the waters of the Indus River, while others, like Javed Ahmed and his friends, visit the river daily due to electricity supply cuts preventing them from keeping cool at home.
Authorities have advised people to stay indoors, stay hydrated, and avoid unnecessary travel. However, labourers like Bopal Khan continue to work in the sweltering heat to support their families.
The Meteorological department warned of more episodes of extremely high temperatures ahead of the pre-monsoon rains, attributing the current heatwave to climate change. Pakistan has faced several climate-related disasters in recent years, including devastating floods caused by melting glaciers and intensified monsoons.
The Met Department forecasts thunderstorms and isolated rain in the upper parts of the country from May 28th to June 1st, offering some relief from the severe heatwave conditions.
