Cyclone Aila: A Disastrous Storm Claims Lives...

Pulse

oi-Staff

By Staff

Tuesday, May 26, 2009, 12:50

The summer heat was subsiding to the early showers of monsoon. Even before monsoon could cool the dry patches another natural disaster called cyclone Aila is in its way. It has killed at least 31 people, flooded the villages and hit at least one Lakh people.

People in Calcutta were on a dreamy sleep when a severe storm with a wind speed of 110 km per hour formed in the Bay of Bengal from a very deep depression on Sunday (24th May 2009) night. The storm was accompanied by heavy rainfall preceded the cyclone.

Massive tidal waves ravaged scores of coastal villages and the seaside resorts of Digha, Mandarmoni and Kanthi throughout Monday (25th May 2009).

Most deaths occurred when the cyclone flattened mud houses. The rest of the casualties were reported from the districts of Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, Bankura, North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore.

Cyclone Aila uprooted a large number of trees in Calcutta and blocked 32 roads. Calcutta Metro and train services were suspended after water-flooded tracks in many places. Flights at Kolkata airport were stopped. Thousand of people in India and Bangladesh forced out of their houses to temporary shelters after wind speeds of 70km/h to 90km/h were reported.

The West Bengal state's disaster management is at the timely help for the people. The army and border guards were called out to rescue people and join the civil administration in providing relief in eight districts of the state hit by the cyclone. Teams from the municipal corporation are working to clear roads blocked by uprooted trees.

The families of those who died in the cyclone will get a compensation of Rs 2 Lakh each from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Cyclone Aila has recently weakened in Calcutta and head to Orissa.