The Omani word Remal means bali or silica. Remal is another name for fear and panic. Remal is originally the name of a cyclone formed in the Bay of Bengal. Due to which at least 17 people died in Bangladesh and India recently. On May 20, 2024, a cyclonic area formed in the Bay of Bengal. On May 22 it turned into light pressure. On 26 May, the depression transformed into Cyclone Remal. Cyclone Remal was initially supposed to enter through Khepupara, Patuakhali. But it turns slightly northwards and enters the coast over Satkhira. As a result, the main part of the storm hit the Sundarbans. The maximum wind speed recorded there was 111 kmph. According to media reports, Cyclone Remal has killed 10 people in six coastal districts of Bangladesh. More than 35 thousand houses were completely destroyed. More than 37 lakh 58 thousand people in 19 districts of the country have been affected.
Humans are always helpless to natural disasters. Cyclone is one of the natural disasters. The oldest and most feared disaster is the cyclone. The coastal communities of Bangladesh have been dealing with cyclones since the 16th century. Almost every year they take a stand against cyclones more than once. Once upon a time, many fresh life of coastal area would be wiped out instantly by the impact of a cyclone. Their dreamy beloved residence had been shattered. Livestock was lost. The uprooted trees were washed away in the ocean floor. In the last three decades, the country has seen several major cyclones. Cyclone 1991 was the most devastating cyclone to hit the Southeast region.
According to research reports on cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, cyclones usually hit the coast in April-May and October-November. 27 cyclones have formed in the Bay of Bengal since 1990. Coastal districts of the country are affected. Out of this, 15 cyclones hit Chittagong to Coxs Bazar area and the remaining 12 hit Satkhira to Bhola area. At least four cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal every year. Out of which two cyclones occur in our part and the other two occur in the Arabian Sea part. Cyclones occur naturally in the Bay of Bengal before and after monsoons. Seasonal process is completed by low pressure even if there is no cyclone in any year due to lack of favorable environment. In fact, the names Cyclone and Bay of Bengal are closely related. Because Bay of Bengal is the birthplace of most cyclones. Cyclones Bijli, Mora, Roanu, Midhili, Mokha, Amphan, Foni, Sitrang, Bulbul and presents Remal each originated in the Bay of Bengal.
An analysis by Weather Underground found that eight out of every ten worst cyclones in world history have occurred in the Bay of Bengal. A review of the 200-year history of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal has revealed that 20 lakh people in Bangladesh have died in the cyclone alone. Due to its geographical location on the shores of the triangular Bay of Bengal, the people of Bangladesh are constantly exposed to marine cyclones. The worst cyclone ever to form in the Bay of Bengal hit Bhola district in 1970. 3 to 5 lakh people died in that storm. It is known that in 1737, vast areas of Bangladesh-India were hit by the Hooghly River Cyclone. 3 lakh people died in the storm. Residents were inundated by the 34 feet high tide of the 1970 cyclone. Millions of people lost their lives. On April 29, 1991, a cyclone called �2E struck the coastal area of Chittagong with a speed of about 250 kmph. Due to which the coastal area was flooded with 20 feet high tide. One lakh 38 thousand people lost their lives.
The location of Sundarbans is at the beginning of Cyclone Remal. The Sundarbans has been gripped by Cyclone Remal Like almost all the cyclones that hit Bangladesh. Being injured itself the Sundarban has reduced the amount of coastal damage. The Sundarbans, the worlds largest mangrove forest, have eased the wind speed after battling Cyclone Remal in Birdarpe. As a result, Cyclone Remal had to face major hurdles at the beginning of its entry into Bangladesh. The Sundarbans protect the coast of the country like a mother. The Sundarbans, with its strong forest of various trees and numerous rivers, have been protecting the coast for a long time.
The Sundarbans is protecting mankind in its own way. To avoid the devastation of cyclone we should follow the following guidelines. (01) As extreme cyclone warning is issued in coastal areas, take shelter with essential items. (02) Keep essential items like money, urgent documents, ration-pan card and atleast three days food in thick plastic. (03) Unplug AC, TV, refrigerator, microwave oven, geyser, computer in case of lightning with rain and use less power connection services as much as possible. (04) Do not keep anything on the roof of the house that could fly and hurt someone. (05) Keeping two-three days of emergency medicines at home. (06) Cyclone causes heavy rainfall. And the water freezes in a short time. Dangers may lurk in this stagnant water. Terrible accidents can occur if a power line snaps and falls into water. So it is not right to go out to have fun in frozen water as soon as the storm stops.
In case of any natural calamity, advance measures, maximum precautionary measures are essential. Precautionary measures were taken in case of Cyclone Remal. The possibility and movements of Cyclone Remal have been telecasted repeatedly in the electronic media. Therefore, the coastal people faced Cyclone Remal with pre-preparedness. A good point is that whenever a cyclone is forecast, the government takes a massive program to protect people in coastal areas. But coastal peoples are yet to be sincere about forecast properly. And thats why 10-12 people died due to Cyclone Remal. In order to survive, the people of coastal areas must be aware.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inaugurated the Disaster Management Program (CPP) in 1972. CPB activities should be expedited. Institutional frameworks on what to do before and after a disaster need to be strengthened. At least one week before the occurrence of the disaster, strong conditions should be ensured so that the warning reaches all over the country. Meteorological research organizations should be established in all districts of Bangladesh, not just the coastal districts. Disaster Management Standing Orders 1997 should be modernized.
Adequate shelters should be established for the people of the disaster areas. The concerned should be more conscious to bring the affected population to the shelters. Voluntary organizations should be formed for spontaneous cooperation in various activities such as informing people about cyclones, making them aware, bringing them to shelters, saving cattle, delivering people safely to their homes after cyclones, distributing relief, cleaning roads, etc. The Government must have to provide training and incentives to the employees of all those organizations. It is not possible for humans to prevent or stop natural disasters. However, it is possible to reduce the damage by taking pre-preparedness and precautionary measures.
Therefore, administrative action should be increased to stop illegal logging in mangrove forests. If necessary, a lot of trees should be planted there. The suffering of people in coastal areas has increased due to Cyclone Remal. The affluent of the society should extend a helping hand to the cyclone-hit areas. The young generation should be made interested in dealing with any natural disaster including cyclones by involving them in humanitarian activities.
The writer is a Teacher, Cantonment Board High School, Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment, Ghatail, Tangail
