The capital city and surrounding areas are bracing for heavy rainfall, with at least 200 millimeters expected today, according to Meteorologist Mostofa Kamal Palash, a PhD researcher on meteorology and climate at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
“Dhaka recorded approximately 157 mm of rain on 27 May and is likely to see even more on 28 May, potentially exceeding 200 mm. The rainfall is likely to continue through 29 May,” Palash told The Business Standard. He added that American and European weather models indicate the heaviest rainfall between 12 pm and 2 pm on 28 May.
Climatologist Rashed Chowdhury highlighted a significant change in Cyclone Remal’s behavior, noting its unusually slow movement over Bangladesh. “This is probably the first time we are witnessing such a slow-moving cyclone in Bangladesh. It is expected to take around 40 hours to pass over the country. This slow movement introduces a new element to the nature of cyclones in Bangladesh—slow-paced cyclones accompanied by persistent heavy rains,” he said.
The heavy rains and squally winds, with speeds reaching up to 100 mph, have severely disrupted the country’s electricity system. The power distribution network has been significantly affected by Cyclone Remal. Electricity supply was suspended in many areas to prevent further damage, while in other regions, power outages were caused by fallen trees.
Most rural electricity board customers in districts such as Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Bhola, Patuakhali, and Barishal are currently without power. Areas like Feni and Cox’s Bazar have only partial electricity supply. Residents in these areas have been without power for periods ranging from 10 to 36 hours, depending on the area.
Cyclone Remal has left more than half of the country’s electricity consumers without power. Power generation has decreased to 3,751 MW due to reduced demand. Electricity distribution companies have incurred an estimated financial loss of Tk98 crore due to the cyclone. Since Sunday (26 May), electricity supply to over 2.69 crore people in 65 out of 80 rural electricity board areas (Palli Bidyut Samiti – PBS) has been disrupted. By last evening (27 May), some 3.21 lakh out of 4.70 lakh total connections had been restored. However, approximately 2.66 crore people remain without power.
In the 30 cyclone-prone PBS areas, 2,717 electric poles, 2,353 transformers, 53,425 power meters, and 71,729 spans (wires) have reportedly been damaged.
