A week-long flood has overwhelmed the Sylhet district in Bangladesh, causing immense suffering for its residents. The slow pace of improvement is due to continuous rainfall in the northeast of the country and neighboring India, caused by tropical cyclone Remal. The cyclone, which also delayed landfall, brought record-breaking rainfall and resulted in flash floods in Sylhet. With more heavy rain predicted and damages to infrastructure and crops, the district is facing a serious humanitarian crisis.
In a recent article, Harsh Mander compares the current political climate in India to the dark days of Nazi Germany in 1935. He argues that just as Hitler gained support by appealing to the masses, Modi has successfully pulled bahujan voters to the BJP. However, as time goes on, many are starting to drift away from the party. Mander raises important questions about the consequences of this shift in political allegiance and the potential impact on the country.
The capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka, was hit hard by Cyclone Remal which brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing waterlogging in various areas. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded 116mm of rain in just nine hours, leading to difficulties for school and office-goers, as well as low-income individuals. Despite the traffic situation remaining normal, pedestrians and commuters faced challenges due to flooded roads and sidewalks. The adverse weather conditions have disrupted life and work for many in Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning for a potential high tidal surge and heavy rainfall as Cyclone 'Remal' is expected to make landfall in the country's southwestern coast by midnight. The government has taken all necessary measures to tackle the severe cyclonic storm, including evacuating over 800,000 people to cyclone centers and cancelling all leaves for officials. The Met Office has issued "great danger" signals for several coastal districts, urging residents to take necessary precautions and stay safe.
Severe cyclone Remal made landfall over coastal areas of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal on Sunday night, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The landfall process is expected to last for 4 hours, with a maximum wind speed of 110-120 kmph. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting and was briefed about the measures taken, while Governor CV Aananda Bose set up a task force to deal with any uncertainties. 800,000 people have been evacuated in Bangladesh and heavy rainfall and high tidal surges are expected in certain coastal districts.
As Cyclonic Storm "Remal" intensifies into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the Bay of Bengal, the Kolkata airport has announced a 21-hour suspension of flight operations, affecting 394 flights. Along the Bay of Bengal, coastal areas in West Bengal, Odisha, and Bangladesh are preparing for the storm's potential landfall, with authorities launching evacuation campaigns in vulnerable areas. The IMD has issued warnings of extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds in these regions, urging urgent preparatory measures.
The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is expected to reach southern regions of Bangladesh by this evening. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has advised maritime ports to hoist danger signals as the storm approaches with sustained wind speeds of up to 62 kph. Parts of southern Bangladesh can expect heavy rainfall due to the approaching cyclone.