Sundarban Under Siege: Ground Zero Report on the Ongoing Crisis of Cyclone Remal

This is a report from ground zero of Cyclone Remal in Sundarban. Cyclone Remal is highly unusual and significantly different from past cyclones, having persisted for over 30 hours with more than 40 hours of rainfall and wind speeds reaching 100-135 km/h. During this time, we experienced two high tides. The cyclone spans a radius of 350-400 km, with its eye covering an area of 50 km. It has impacted key areas such as Patharpratima, Raidighi, and Mathurapur, where Mukti operates. The cyclone is still ongoing as I report this.

Initial reports indicate extensive damage: many mud or weak houses have been destroyed, several lives have been lost, vegetable gardens are completely ruined, numerous trees have been uprooted, and roads have become inaccessible. A large number of people have sought refuge in cyclone centers and schools. Several river embankments have been breached, causing river water to flood the area. Major damage has been reported in Sagar, Namkhana, Patharpratima, Kultali, Raidighi, Kumirmari, Amtali, Gosaba, and Bali Island, among others. A comprehensive assessment will take some time.

As you know, we are connected with and work for over 100,000 families in Sundarban, including SHG women, farmers, students, and fishermen. We are operating from a control room with more than 100 social leaders and 10,000 volunteers on the ground. Many of Mukti’s cyclone shelters have been operational since yesterday, supporting government shelters where needed. Due to darkness and heavy winds, our team couldn’t work on the ground at night. This morning, we started clearing roads, conducting assessments, providing immediate support, and continuing preventive measures.

We are now entering the second phase of disaster management, focusing on immediate and short-term needs such as dry food, rations, cooked food, tarpaulins, baby food, women’s essentials, and medicines. In the next phase, we will need seed support for farmers, water pumps to clear saline and logged water, house repairs, and medical support.

We will keep you updated with periodic assessment reports.

Let us stand together for the victims. Your support can provide vital supplies, shelter, and medical aid to those in desperate need, offering hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Stand with Mukti in bringing relief and rebuilding lives in the wake of Cyclone Remal’s devastation.

– President’s Note

 

Gallery link: https://muktiweb.org/gallery/tag/Remal

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8M7csfIxcg&list=PLfpUWR2CBtomVYS45UszxKDQj3eMGpiiY