Cyclone Remal Impedes Port Activities in Bengal and Bangladesh, Cargo Flights Disrupted Too

 With wind speeds ranging from 110 km/h to 120 km/h and gusts up to 135 km/h, along with heavy rainfall, Remal necessitated extensive safety measures and operational halts at major ports and airports. Chattogram Port, a critical hub for maritime trade in Bangladesh, experienced a complete shutdown of its operations due to Cyclone Remal. The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) issued ‘Alert No 4’ – the highest level – suspending all port activities to ensure the safety of ships and personnel. Consequently, 68 commercial vessels were moved to the deep sea to avoid damage from the cyclone’s strong winds and high waves.

By Saturday night, 25 May, 49 bulk carriers had vacated the outer anchorage, halting unloading operations. By Sunday morning, an additional 19 commercial vessels moored at the jetty were pushed into the deep sea. The CPA took measures to secure all cranes, cargo, and container equipment, deploying extra security personnel and medical support. All inland vessels were brought to safe shelters within the inner harbour. A planning meeting was scheduled to assess and implement recovery operations following the cyclone.

Kolkata Port also faced significant disruptions due to Cyclone Remal. All cargo and container handling activities were suspended for 12 hours, impacting the flow of goods and materials. The port’s operations were temporarily halted as a precaution against the cyclone’s severe conditions.  Cyclone Remal’s impact also extended to air cargo operations, particularly at Kolkata Airport. The airport suspended operations for 21 hours, leading to the cancellation of 394 flights, which included both passenger and cargo flights. This suspension affected the timely delivery of goods and caused logistical challenges for businesses relying on air freight.

Both India and Bangladesh undertook extensive emergency measures to mitigate the Remal’s impact on logistics and safety. Over one lakh residents from low-lying coastal zones were evacuated to storm shelters and quick response teams were deployed to provide immediate assistance and ensure safety. On the other hand, the Indian Coast Guard and Navy were actively involved in broadcasting alerts and deploying ships equipped with disaster relief and medical supplies. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) also suspended all river transport to prevent accidents, affecting inland cargo movement.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Bangladesh’s Met Office issued high-level danger signals, warning of potential damage due to high wind speeds and heavy rainfall. These warnings prompted the suspension of port and airport operations, significantly affecting cargo logistics.

Cyclone Remal’s impact on sea and air cargo operations has yet again highlighted the vulnerability of logistics infrastructure to severe weather events in light of climate change. The proactive measures taken by port authorities and emergency services helped mitigate some risks, but the disruptions underscore the need for robust disaster preparedness and resilient supply chain strategies.