48 killed as Cyclone Remal wreaks havoc in India

In the aftermath of Cyclone Remal, storms and rainfall-induced landslides have claimed the lives of at least 48 people and injured many others across India’s West Bengal and four northeastern states, officials reported on Wednesday.

This updated toll marks a significant increase from the previously reported figure of 23, as authorities continue to respond to the widespread devastation.

Cyclone Remal, which made landfall on Sunday evening with fierce gales and crashing waves, moved slowly inland causing floods and triggering landslides. The majority were killed in northeastern Mizoram state, where 28 died.

That included 14 workers crushed in a quarry which collapsed on Tuesday in the rain storm, Mizoram’s government said in a statement.

“There have been incessant rains in the wake of Cyclone Remal, which led to the quarry collapse,” a state disaster management official in Mizoram told Reuters.

At least 10 people died in West Bengal state, senior government official Sumit Gupta said yesterday.

At least 10 other people died in the states of Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya, according to reports cited by the Hindustan Times.

Cyclones hit Bangladesh and India each year, but the number of superstorms hitting the densely populated coast has increased sharply, with scientists saying climate change is fuelling more storms.

However, better forecasting and more effective evacuation planning have dramatically reduced death tolls.