Cyclone ‘Amphan’ claims at least 72 lives in West Bengal

State incurs a loss of crores of rupees

Kolkata – At least 72 persons have died in West Bengal so far due to the cyclone ‘Amphan’, as per the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The coastal areas experienced tidal waves up to 5 meters high in the sea. The water has encroached on the settlements inside, up to 13 km from the shore.

1. The cyclone hit the banks of Digha in Bengal and Hatia of Bangladesh around 2.30 pm on 20^th May. The cyclone has caused massive destruction on the coastal belts
2. The States of Bengal and Odisha witnessed heavy rainfall with intense winds in many areas and flooded many rivers. Agriculture and infrastructure have taken a toll in both States.
3. In many locations, large trees were uprooted, electric poles fell on the roads, roofs of many houses were blown away and fragile dwellings collapsed.
4. In this regard, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, the storm has caused a loss of thousands of crores of rupees. The proper assessment might take 3 – 4 days. The State Governments had already carried out the evacuation of 58,000 people from the respective regions of Odisha and 6.6 lakh citizens of Bengal to safer places before the cyclone made landfall.
5. CM Banerjee has also said that Rs. 1,000 crore fund has been created for restoration and rehabilitation work and has announced a compensation of Rs. 2.5 lakhs to families of those who lost their lives in the cyclone.