Cyclone Remal: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her concern on Tuesday over the damage caused by Cyclone Remal in the state's coastal areas. She stated that she is closely monitoring the relief efforts being carried out by the administration.
She expressed her condolences to the families who lost their members in the natural calamity. "I pray for everyone's safety in the face of cyclone Remal and I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased," Banerjee posted on X.
'Closely keeping track of the relief work'
Assuring the public that the difficult times would soon pass, the Bengal CM also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who assisted those affected by the cyclone. "While I'm closely keeping track of the relief work, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my brothers and sisters who are providing necessary assistance to the people in this dire situation. We shall overcome!" she added.
On Monday, Banerjee said that the administration would initially handle the distribution of compensation for damage to crops and houses according to the law. Once the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is withdrawn after the ongoing election, her government will take a more serious approach to addressing the issue.
Damage caused by Remal in West Bengal
Rain also flooded many streets in the Indian city of Kolkata, with reports of wall collapses and at least 52 fallen trees. Kolkata resumed flights after more than 50 were cancelled from Sunday. Suburban train services were also restored. Six persons — one in Kolkata, two women in South 24 Parganas district, one in Panihati in North 24 Parganas district and a father-son duo in Memari in Purba Medinipur — lost their lives due to the cyclone.
The cyclone-damaged areas include Kakdwip, Namkhana, Sagard Island, Diamond Harbour, Fraserganj, Bakkhali and Mandarmani. There were minor breaches of embankments due to the cyclone, said an official, adding that those were repaired immediately. 2,140 trees were uprooted, and about 1,700 electric poles fell in various parts of the state, he added.
The administration evacuated over 2 lakh people to safer locations and relief camps. Minor breaches in embankments were promptly repaired, and no major breaches were reported. More than 1,400 relief camps are providing cooked meals and essential supplies to those affected. The cyclone devastated fragile dwellings, uprooted trees, and toppled electric poles.
(With PTI inputs)
