Strong cyclonic storm wreaks havoc in several villages of Kadamtala, residents seek govt assistance

A powerful cyclonic storm resembling an untimely ‘Kalbaishakhi’ (norwester) wreaked havoc across several villages under the Kadamtala Block in the Dharmanagar subdivision of North Tripura on the very first day of the Bengali month of Chaitra on last Sunday midnight, causing extensive damage to houses, trees, and business establishments. Administrative officials and public representatives rushed to the affected areas to assess the situation.

On Tuesday after the massive damages of properties, the affected villagers demanded immediate government assistance for their rehabilitation and livelihood.

According to reports, the sudden storm struck late Sunday night, leaving at least five villages severely affected. The intense winds and heavy rain caused widespread destruction, blowing away tin roofs of houses, uprooting large trees, and damaging electric poles and commercial establishments. The unexpected natural calamity created panic among residents across the region.

Local residents said that after moderate rainfall throughout the day, a strong cyclonic storm accompanied by heavy rain suddenly began around midnight. Within just a few minutes, the powerful winds ripped off tin roofs from houses while several large trees and electricity poles collapsed. Many houses suffered significant damage. Affected villagers claimed that they had never witnessed such a severe storm before.

The worst-affected areas include several wards under Churaibari, Fulbari, East Fulbari, East Churaibari, and North Fulbari Panchayats, along with the Churaibari market area. In East Fulbari Panchayat’s Ward No. 1, residents Sujit Dutta, Mintu Dutta, Moyna Mia, Biswajit Dutta, and Prashanta Das reportedly suffered major losses, with the tin roofs of their houses blown away and ceiling fans left hanging on nearby trees. Similarly, in Ward No. 5 of Churaibari Panchayat, the house of Suruchi Giri was badly damaged as several trees collapsed and parts of the structure were destroyed.

Several shops and commercial establishments in the Churaibari market area were also affected. In some cases, the tin roofs of shops were blown away, while in others electricity poles were uprooted.

Following the storm, an atmosphere of fear and concern gripped the affected areas.

Meanwhile, administrative teams quickly arrived at the sites to assess the damage. From early morning, local Panchayat leaders, including the Pradhan and Upapradhan, along with Kadamtala Block Chairman Mihir Ranjan Nath, Samiti member Hashim Talukdar, two block engineers, the local Tehsildar, and Civil Defence volunteers from North Tripura district visited the affected villages. Local ruling party leaders Ustar Ali and Siddhartha Singh also assisted the team during the inspection.

The presence of the administrative officials brought some relief to the affected residents. The Chairman and engineers inspected the damaged areas and documented the details and names of those affected. Officials stated that dry food would be provided immediately to families whose kitchens had collapsed, while those who lost houses or suffered damage to property and trees would receive financial assistance from the government.