Nadia, 3 October (H.S.) Natural disasters wreaked havoc again in West Bengal on Dashami and Ekadashi. A sudden, minute-long storm early Friday morning devastated several areas in Nadia and Hooghly districts. The most severe damage occurred in the Haringhata block of Nadia district, where 10 to 12 houses collapsed and the tin roofs of many were blown away. Other crops, including bananas, were also severely damaged.

According to local sources, the sudden, severe storm struck several villages, including Narayanpur, under the Birahi-2 Gram Panchayat of the Haringhata block, at around 5 a.m. on Friday. The walls of many houses collapsed, leaving the entire area in disarray. Following the storm, heavy rain began at 11 a.m., worsening the situation. Villagers say this sudden cyclone felt even more terrifying than Amphan. Household items, furniture, and many essential items were destroyed.

In Chandannagar, Hooghly district, the sudden storm and rain affected the Naroya Shantiramath area. Strong winds caused the puja pandal to collapse, shattering its chandeliers. Roofs were blown off several houses, and trees and plants were uprooted. Locals reported that the sudden storm that struck at dawn felt like a tornado.

Earlier, on the evening of Dussehra, a devastating storm lasting just 50 seconds wreaked havoc in the Sandeshkhali area of North 24 Parganas. Around 4 pm on Thursday, the tornado struck the Patharghata area of Sandeshkhali-1 block, damaging nearly 100 houses. Six people were injured, and hundreds of trees and crops were destroyed. Power supply to the entire area was disrupted due to the snapping of more than 30 power poles and wires.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey