Massive wind throws city off gear.
Strong winds of up to 98 km per hour accompanied by rains hit the West Bengal capital this evening as a northwester swept the city uprooting trees and affecting traffic movement, officials said. According to reports, so far 7 people are reported to be dead in Kolkata, Howrah and other parts of West Bengal. The number of casualties may go up.
"A nor'wester hit the city with a gale force of 98 km per hour around 7.42 pm," Regional Meteorological Director G K Das said. Police said a large number of trees were uprooted across the city, throwing traffic movement out of gear, police said. Electrical fires were reported from various parts of the metropolis, a fire department official said. He said that a fire at Ballygunge Circular Road was brought under control with the help of seven fire tenders.
Four deaths were reported in Kolkata while two died in Bankura district and one in Howrah district, police said.
People returning home after work faced traffic jams and snarls.
Two people died in New Market area of the city when a tree fell on an auto-rickshaw. Major thoroughfares of the city were completely brought to still as the nor'wester lead to trees being uprooted. CM Mamata Banerjee has asked KMC and police to quickly bring situation under control. Disaster management team is trying to clean up the mess with as many as 26 streets blocked due to falling of trees. The wind was so powerful it lead to disruption in Metro and train services. Air services have also been hit by the thunderstorm.
Train services in both Howrah and Sealdah stations were temporarily thrown off gear as trees fell on overhead wires. A section of a railing fell on an empty train at Howrah station, the sources said, adding that no one was injured. Currently only limited number of trains are operating from major stations.
With PTI inputs
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 "Thunderstorm in Kolkata")
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