HMC works on war footing to restore district to normalcy

Kolkata: Prompt action by the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) has ensured fast restoration of civic amenities, after Tuesday's thunderstorm claimed six lives in the district, with damage caused to 776 houses and hundreds of trees being uprooted.

Five persons, including a Class X student, were killed in the area under the jurisdiction of Howrah City Police, while one was killed in the rural part of the district.

Several roads were found blocked with uprooted trees lying across after the storm on Tuesday night, which hit the city at a speed between 82 to 88 km/h. Overhead electricity wires also snapped at many places.

Without any delay, concerned authorities of the civic body had plunged into repair work. Local councillors, along with officials, visited the areas from where they had received information of untoward incidents.

The work that had to be carried out was segregated on the basis of emergency and the quantum of damage. Accordingly, it helped in fast execution of the task.

There were many places where huge tin roofs were found hanging between terraces of two highrises.

The corporation has engaged technical experts so that no further damage takes place while attempting to remove the roofs.

At many places, people had not even realised when heading to their offices in morning, that the roads were blocked on Tuesday night, as the HMC had carried out the work on an immediate basis and

removed the debris as soon as possible.

"It was not only the disaster management team, but all the supporting agencies which were pressed into service and a coordinated effort helped to reach the affected areas and carry out the necessary tasks as early as possible", said Howrah Mayor Dr Rathin Chakra-

borty, adding that most of the work has been done and the remaining work will be

carried out within the next 24 hours.

The corporation carried out the work with proper coordination with CESC. It has also provided all necessary support to the affected people and its officials are visiting different places to ensure fast restoration of the situation.