Tropical Cyclone Remal: rapid assessment report by Food Security Situation and Agricultural Needs Overview June 2024

Cyclone Remal stands as the most devastating cyclone to strike Bangladesh in recent years. Formed as a depression on May 24th, Cyclone REMAL slammed into Bangladesh's coasts on May 26th with heavy rain and strong winds. 

Weakening inland, REMAL caused significant damage, particularly across at least 16 coastal districts, with millions evacuated, and widespread infrastructure damage. Cyclone REMAL made landfall near the Bangladesh-India border, in the western part of Sundarbans in Shatkhira district. Major rivers overflowed due to tidal surges, damaging embankments. Eight districts namely Pirojpur, Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola and Barisal remain the most affected. The tidal surge breached embankments, resulting in extensive flooding and damage to homes, agricultural fields, and fishing farms in low-lying areas. Different findings that have already been published, are limited in scope because of the fragmentation of the impact. 

The consolidated data includes the following sources. 

• Synthesis of the findings from the rapid needs assessment carried out in Cox’s Bazar1

. • Unweighted analysis of data gathered through DIEM follow-up interviews at the HH level. 

• Analysis of remote sensing data from Sentinel 1, UNOSAT, WFP ADAM etc. 

• Compilation and analysis of relevant information from the NAWG rapid needs assessment report along with ICCG/ISCG brief, damage and loss data from DDM, DAE, DLS and DoF control room. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that, in the coming weeks Data in Emergencies will produce a more detailed assessment based on primary data.

For queries: Mohammad Mainul Hossain Rony; Cluster Coordinator Food Security Cluster Bangladesh. FAO and WFP; Mohammad.rony@wfp.org; rony.hossain@fscluster.org;  www.fscluster.org/bangladsh