Cyclone hits Bangladesh as nearly a million flee inland for shelter
The Hindu
An intense cyclone smashed into the low-lying coast of Bangladesh on Sunday, with nearly a million people fleeing inland
An intense cyclone smashed into the low-lying coast of Bangladesh on Sunday, with nearly a million people fleeing inland for concrete storm shelters away from howling gales and crashing waves.
"The severe Cyclone Remal has started crossing the Bangladesh coast," Bangladesh Meteorological Department Director Azizur Rahman said, adding the raging storm could continue hammering the coast until at least the early hours of Monday morning.
"We have so far recorded maximum wind speeds of 90 kmph, but the wind speed may pick up more pace."
Also read:Cyclone Remal LIVE updates | Landfall process commenced over coastal areas of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal
Forecasters predicted gusts of up to 130 kmph, with heavy rain and winds also lashing India.
Authorities have raised the danger signal to its highest level.
Cyclones have killed hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh in recent decades, but the number of superstorms hitting its densely populated coast has increased sharply, from one a year to as many as three, due to the impact of climate change.