Amphan swept through coastal Bengal on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction with thousands of homes damaged and trees and electric poles uprooted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made
an aerial survey of affected regions yesterday (File)
Kolkata: The
Indian Army today provided three columns to assist Kolkata City authorities
deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Amphan, one of the worst storms to have
formed over the Bay of Bengal in recent years. Two more were sent to North and
South 24 Paraganas districts, according to news agency PTI.
This
was after the Bengal Home Department tweeted saying it had requested Army
support.
In a
series of tweets this evening, the Home Department called for mobilisation
of "maximum strength... on 24x7 basis" for essential services like
drinking water, sanitation and power supply.
The
state also asked for aid from the Railways and the private sector in providing
manpower and equipment, and said teams were at work clearing the remains of
thousands of trees and buildings felled and destroyed as heavy rain and winds
of up to 185 km per hour pummelled coastal Bengal.
"Government
of West Bengal mobilises maximum strength in unified command mode on 24x7 basis
for immediate restoration of essential infrastructure and services. Army
support has been called for and NDRF and SDRF teams deployed," the Home
Department said.
"Railways, ports and
private sector too requested to supply teams and equipment," the tweet
said, adding, "Drinking water and drainage infrastructure getting restored
fast. PHE (Public Health Engineering department) asked to supply water
pouches... generators being hired where necessary. More than a hundred teams...
working to remove fallen trees".
The
Home Department also said Bengal Police had been put on alert to deal with any
issues and efforts were being made to increase available manpower despite
significant resources being devoted to the coronavirus outbreak.
The announcement came after
protests in several parts of Kolkata and neighbouring districts over power and
water problems. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for patience while
the state works to restore normalcy.
Cyclone Amphan ripped
through coastal Bengal on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake
that Ms Banerjee valued at Rs 1 lakh crore.
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