Cyclone ‘Amphan’, ravaged the states West Bengal and Odisha on Wednesday. swept through Kolkata on Wednesday killing 76 people. The cyclone, worst in 283 years, destroyed thousands of houses, uprooted trees and electric poles. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee said that the damage caused by ‘Amphan’ is to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore. Mamta Banerjee said that 15 of the victims were from Kolkata and most of the people died due to electrocution and injuries sustained from falling branches.
She announced Rs 2 lakh as compensation to the families of each of the victims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to West Bengal and Odisha on Friday to take stock of the damage caused by Cyclone Amphan. PM Modi will conduct an aerial survey of the damage.
The Prime Minister said the entire nation stands with Bengal and “no stone will be left unturned” to help those affected. “In this challenging hour, the entire nation stands in solidarity with West Bengal. Praying for the well-being of the people of the state. Efforts are on to ensure normalcy,” the PM tweeted.
The cyclone barreled into the coast with gusting winds of up to 185 km per hour. Strong winds with speed up to 125 km per hour ravaged Kolkata. ‘Amphan’ also ripped through the coastal districts of North and South 24 Paraganas of Bengal with heavy rain and windstorm.
My thoughts are with the people of Odisha as the state bravely battles the effects of Cyclone Amphan. Authorities are working on the ground to ensure all possible assistance to the those affected. I pray that the situation normalises at the earliest.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2020