Staff Correspondent
Cyclone Remal struck during low tide, sparing the coastal towns from major disasters, but fears remain of flooding due to breached embankments.
In the coastal upazilas of Shyamnagar and Assasuni in Satkhira, tidal water overflowed the embankments, inundating hundreds of fisheries amid heavy rains.
The cyclone caused 541 houses to collapse in the coastal area, and power supply has been disrupted in Satkhira district town and coastal areas.
Cyclone Remal leaves over 600,000 residents in Satkhira without powerCyclone Remal leaves over 600,000 residents in Satkhira without power
Traffic was halted on several points of the Satkhira-Munshiganj road due to fallen trees. The police and local residents later cleared the trees, restoring communication.
Cyclone Remal made landfall around 9pm on Sunday in the coastal region, coinciding with tidal flow in the rivers adjacent to the Sundarbans.
Waze Kuruni, a resident of Gabura Union, said: "Like Sunday, storms and rains are starting on Satkhira coast today (Monday)."
Ahsanur Rahman Rajib, stationed at the coast, said: "Though Cyclone Remal did not cause much damage to the Satkhira coastal area, the rivers remain turbulent. Previously, the Satkhira coast suffered more from saltwater intrusion than from storms. The earthen embankments along the coast are dilapidated. It is feared that continued rain and storms may break the embankment, causing flooding. The administration has not assessed the full extent of the damage yet."
Gabura Union Parishad Chairman Masudul Alam said: "Cyclone Remal has wreaked havoc on the Satkhira coast. Continuous rain and storm from 10pm to 3am damaged more than 150 houses in the union. Over 40 fisheries were washed away by heavy rains, and hundreds of trees were uprooted. Though the embankment hasn't broken, water has overflowed in some places, entering the locality. The dams become very vulnerable during rains. Rain and storm started again from Monday afternoon."
Salah Uddin, executive engineer of Satkhira Water Development Board Division-1, said: "We have been working day and night on the weak points of the embankment, which has prevented damages so far."
Shyamnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Najibul Alam said: "There was no major damage in the cyclone. Initial reports indicate that 541 mud houses have been damaged in twelve unions including Gabura, Padmapukur, Burigoalini, and Atulia in Shyamnagar. Of these, 93 were completely and 448 partially damaged. Although the strong tide overflowed the river and entered the localities, there were no reports of embankments breaking. However, some fish cages have sunk due to continuous rain. It is not possible to determine the full extent of the damage at this time."
