Kolkata: MHA to send Central team to access damage caused due to cyclone Amphan

Kolkata: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will send a Central team to Kolkata, South and North 24 Praganas districts soon to assess the damages incurred due to the impact of Cyclone Amphan.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Monday held a meeting in this regard. West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha participated in the NCMC meeting through video Conferencing.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated all Amphan warriors who contributed in disaster management post-cyclone.

“I salute lakhs of my state government employees and policemen who are working hand in hand with the Army, NDRF and SDRF to restore power, bring back water supply, cut trees, and provide relief,” Mamata Banerjee said.

An electrician died during the restoration works in Barasat

Five days after Cyclone Amphan, an electrician died while restoring electricity in North 24 Paraganas district's Barasat. South and North 24 Parganas are the two most affected districts in West Bengal due to cyclone Amphan.

At least 86 people have died in various districts as the cyclone ravaged the state on May 20.

On the fifth day after the cyclone, protests continued by people in Kolkata and adjoining districts, demanding restoration of power and water supply in cyclone Amphan-hit areas, on Monday.

An electricity department official was attacked in South 24 Paraganas’ Sonarpur area. Furious mob attacked a power supply official as there were no electricity in the area for the last five days. People pelted stones, blocked roads and attacked the sub-station, demanding immediate restoration of power.

Residents of Jadavpur, Santoshpur in south Kolkata, Behala hit the streets demanding restoration of power supply.

State Minister and administrator of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Firhad Hakim said, “I have spoken to CESC. I have told them, “enough is enough”. I they must restore power quickly.”

CESC, however, claimed, they have restored 95 per cent power connection in Kolkata.

“Total number of trees which fell due to the Cyclone only in Kolkata is 5500. Most number of trees fell in Alipore Road, Southern Avenue and Rabindra Sarobar. Army, NDRF and SDRF are clearing them.” Hakim added

The army and NDRF teams, along with State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), are working round the clock.

“They have been successful in removing uprooted trees from the arterial roads and made traffic movement possible,” Hakim said.

Thirty teams of Odisha Fire services are in Kolkata for cutting and removal of trees.

Electric poles and trees were uprooted, transformers damaged and uprooted trees fell due to the intensity of the Cyclone, disrupting power supply across Kolkata and several parts of the state.

Mobile and internet services are also disrupted in several parts of Kolkata, South and North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts.

Meanwhile, vegetable prices have shot up in the city and adjoining neighbouring areas in the aftermath of the extremely severe Cyclone Amphan as the heavy rains which accompanied it has submerged agricultural fields of the cash crop rich districts North and South 24 Parganas, stakeholders said.

The cyclone has hit supplies and prices of most vegetables have spurt by 20 to 30 per cent and will soar further, vendors said.

There is apprehension that the disruption in vegetable supplies will worsen in the days to come.

Hingalgunj, Hasnabad, Minakhan, Sandeshkhali I and II which were damaged most by the Cyclone Amphan in North and South 24 Parganas district.