Kolkata: As many as 10 persons including four children were killed as thundershowers lashed various South Bengal districts and parts of North Bengal too on Sunday afternoon. All those who died were stuck by lightning. Two people died at Nadia, one at Jalangi in Murshidabad, two at Ghatal, West Midnapore while four children died at Uluberia, Howrah, while another child died while playing football at Park Circus.
"The four children who died at Uluberia had ventured out of their houses for collecting mangoes during the thundershowers when they were struck by lightning," a senior police officer in the district said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the deaths in the incidents and assured all help and support to the families where there has been loss of life and property due to the inclement weather.
"We are doing a survey on the extent of damage. The Chief Secretary has sought reports from all the District Magistrates. We have a disaster management fund and the government will extend all sort of assistance to the families that have suffered loss in terms of life and property," Banerjee said.
As many as 14 flights in Kolkata airport were affected due to bad weather conditions.
"Five flights scheduled to land at the airport were diverted to Bhubaneswar. A Delhi-bound flight was even cancelled and there was delay in landing and departure of eight flights," a spokesperson of the airport mentioned.
The city and other districts in South Bengal may witness heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours, predicted the weather office on Sunday. Many of the districts which are going to the Panchayat polls on Monday may also receive moderate to heavy rainfall.
Moderate to heavy rainfall occurred in various South Bengal districts on Sunday afternoon. There is also an alert of heavy rain in some districts including Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata. It may be mentioned here that heavy rain accompanied with strong winds lashed some parts of North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Kolkata on Sunday afternoon.
The city sky remained overcast from Sunday morning. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore predicted that it may rain in the city and adjoining areas accompanied with storm in the next 24 hours. According to a weather expert, a strong moisture-laden wind which is blowing from the sea, turned the conditions favourable for a storm. A cyclonic circulation has also contributed to the condition.
According to the weather office, various North Bengal districts may also receive rainfall. The prediction also says that a wind of around 40-60 km per hour will sweep through North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah and Kolkata.
Various district administrations have already issued alerts asking people to stay indoors during thunderstorm and lightning. In a few recent incidents, many people have died due to lightning in the districts.
According to a senior official of the weather office, conditions are favourable for a thunderstorm and heavy rain in some of the South Bengal districts. There is enough moisture flowing in from the sea as well.
Two other factors could raise the chances of a storm. One is the rising heat and the second a cyclonic circulation. A thundershower on Monday is expected as well.
The city recorded 23.8 mm of rainfall while North 24 Parganas district's Barrackpore recorded 68 mm rain, the highest in the state on Sunday, a MeT official said.
Meanwhile, one tree was uprooted at 116, Santoshpur Avenue under Survey Park Police Station. DMG and KP have swung into action immediately. A tram wire also snapped near Shiraz hotel on Park Street at Mallick Bazar.
Lightning struck a three-storeyed house on D Gupta Lane under Sinthee PS leading to damage of electricity connection. No injuries were reported. Police and CESC officials have rushed to the spot. Incessant rain led to water-logging in various parts of the city including Kankurgachi underpass, Abdul Rasul Avenue, in front of Thanthania Kali Mandir and Ultadanga underpass as well.