BALURGHAT/MALDA, May 25 -- South Dinajpur has been hit by an unusually high number of Nor'wester storms over the past one and a half months, causing widespread destruction and an estimated loss of nearly Rs 60 lakh to the power distribution network.
According to officials, the district experienced 12 to 13 storms since the beginning of the Bengali month of Baishakh. More than 550 electric poles were uprooted, while several transformers and power lines were damaged, disrupting electricity supply across large parts of the district. Fresh damage was reported in Tapan, Balurghat, Gangarampur and Hili following recent storms, including a powerful squall on Saturday night. Regional Manager of the power distribution company, Souvik Sarkar, said continuous storms have made restoration work difficult, as newly repaired infrastructure is repeatedly being damaged.
Additional manpower has been deployed to restore electricity in affected areas.
Meteorological officials said four to five major storms struck the district in April and eight more were recorded in May. The storms on May 17, 21 and 22 caused significant damage, while Saturday night's storm saw wind speeds reach 73 kmph.
Several villages reported extensive losses. Tin roofs were blown off houses in parts of Tapan, Balurghat and Hili, while numerous trees were uprooted. Residents also faced recurring power outages. Local people said repeated storms had disrupted normal life and damaged homes, adding to their hardships. Repair and restoration work is continuing across the district.
Meanwhile, restoration work is underway in storm-ravaged Malda. A severe Nor'wester caused widespread destruction across Malda district on Saturday night, affecting hundreds of families in Ratua, Gazole, Chanchal and Bhutni areas. Houses were damaged, trees and electric poles were uprooted, and the power supply was disrupted in several villages. One woman died in the storm.
The worst-hit regions were Kahala, Mahanandatola and Bilaimari gram panchayats of Ratua-I block, where nearly 600 families suffered losses. In Narottampur village, 50-year-old Sandhya Mondal died after a branch fell on her while she was searching for her husband in a mango orchard. On Sunday, District Magistrate, Malda, Rajanvir Singh Kapur, visited the affected area along with North Malda MP Khagen Murmu and handed over a compensation cheque of Rs 4 lakh to the deceased woman's family. "Restoration work has started on a priority basis. Electricity supply is being restored and relief materials are being distributed among affected families," the District Magistrate said. MP Khagen Murmu stated: "The storm caused extensive damage across several villages. Financial aid has been provided and arrangements are being made to support all affected families."
In the Gazole block, roofs of several houses were blown away, leaving residents in distress. Traffic was also disrupted near Dosorki on the Chanchal-Ashapur State Highway after a date palm tree collapsed onto the road and an electric pole tilted dangerously. Electricity department workers began immediate repair work.
Meanwhile, around 15 families in the Ashoknagar area of Bhutni were severely affected after strong winds tore apart the roofs of their homes. Residents, including children, reportedly took shelter under beds to save themselves during the storm.
Administrative teams continued clearing roads, restoring electricity and distributing emergency relief across the affected areas from Monday.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.