Lightning kills 4 in state

Kolkata: Four persons were killed due to lightning and one reportedly drowned as heavy rain lashed the state on Monday morning.

With the prediction of "heavy to very heavy rainfall" in the next four days by the Alipore Meteorological Department, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to cancel her Digha trip to monitor the situation from the state Secretariat.

The heavy to very heavy rainfall has been predicted with further advancement of the south-west monsoon into most parts of Bengal. As per the prediction, there will be rainfall in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Kalimpong and Alipurduar in North Bengal. East Midnapore, North and South 24-Parganas along with other districts in Gangetic Bengal will also receive heavy showers.

The Chief Minister was scheduled to hold an administrative review meeting of East Midnapore district in Digha apart from attending a public meeting. According to sources at Nabanna, the programme has been deferred for the time being.

According to state government officials, four persons were killed due to lightning and one is feared drowned in Cooch Behar. Two persons died due to lightning in North 24-Parganas and one each in South 24-Parganas and Purulia.

The state Disaster Management and Civil Defense department has started taking necessary steps to ensure the safety of people. Authorities in all the districts have been directed to take measures regarding the same.

Officials in the control room at the state Secretariat are keeping constant touch with the districts.

Despite heavy rainfall in the city, the water receded quickly as the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has already taken a series of steps to ensure that people do not suffer due to water-logging. There was 61.80 mm rainfall in Dhapa area while Topsia recorded the highest rainfall — around 82 mm. Places including Palmer Bridge, Ballygunge, Mominpur, Chetla and Jodhpur Park received rainfall between 58 mm and 71 mm.

"In order to improve the situation further, the state government has allotted Rs 70 crore to carry out desiltation of drains at Dent Mission Row in Kidderpore. The matter related to water-logging near Science City has been discussed with Mayor Sovan Chatterjee. A project will be taken up soon to resolve the issue and the detailed project report (DPR) for the same will be ready by the first week of July", said Tarak Singh, Member Mayor-in-Council (Drainage).

With heavy rainfall since morning, movement of vehicles slowed down considerably. Traffic sergeants took necessary steps to keep vehicles moving.

Fishermen have also been advised to be cautious while venturing into the sea as under the influence of moderate to strong south-west monsoon, there will be strong currents and the sea will be rough along and off Bengal coasts.