TNW, Kolkata, May 21: Hit for hours with wild wind and rain brought by the devastating Amphan Cyclone on Wednesday, West Bengal woke up on Thursday to count the losses. The trails of destruction that the Amphan left behind have been still emerging through visuals and reports.
The high ferocity of the cyclone has wrecked havoc, reportedly in at least, 12 districts of the state and left thousands of people homeless, washed away bridges, uprooted large numbers of trees. The low lying areas have submerged under waist high water. Electric and Telecom infrastructures got dislodged in coastal districts.
States’ south eastern districts, East Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas were worst affected. These coastal districts were severely affected during cyclone Bulbul in November 2019, as well.
“Tens of thousands of kachchha houses, trees and electric poles have collapsed (in the two 24-Parganas). At least 15 embankments were breached. Telephone connectivity is badly affected,” an official told The Telegraph.
Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee said that 72 deaths have been reported, though she suggested that the number of causality could be several folds, as reports from far flung areas still to come. “So far, as per the reports we have received, 72 people have died in the state due to cyclone Amphan. Two districts — North and South 24 Parganas — are completely devastated. We have to rebuild those districts from scratch. I would urge the central government to extend all help to the state,” Banerjee said after conducting a review meeting.
“I will visit the affected areas very soon. The restoration work will start soon. A large part of North and South 24 Parganas and Kolkata are facing massive power cuts since last evening. Even telephone and mobile connections are down,” she said.
“I have never witnessed such a fierce cyclone and destruction in my life. I would request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come and visit Cyclone Amphan-affected areas,” Banerjee said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s office has informed that PM Narendra Modi will travel to the West Bengal and Odisha to take stock of the situation on Friday. “He will conduct aerial surveys and take part in review meetings,” the PMO said in a tweet.
