District magistrates told to finish basic repairs in 48 hours ... Stress laid on the supply of food and safe drinking water

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee waves at the villagers during her meeting for Cyclone Amphan (PTI)

Pranesh Sarkar, TT, 26.05.20, Calcutta: Mamata Banerjee on Monday instructed district magistrates of all districts affected by Cyclone Amphan to complete basic restoration works within 48 hours, sources in the state government said.

“The chief minister asked the district magistrates of East Midnapore, North 24-Parganas and South 24-Parganas during a videoconference to complete basic restoration works within 48 hours so that people living in the worst-affected areas could get some relief,” said a source.

The chief minister, who attended the video conference from her Kalighat residence, laid stress on the supply of food and safe drinking water at the earliest.

The government was worried about reports of unrest in the cyclone-affected areas. After the natural calamity, the BJP has started accusing the state government of mishandling the situation and the party has also plans to up the ante against the Trinamul Congress government later this week.

The sources said Mamata had lauded government officials and all agencies engaged in the restoration works, saying 80 per cent of essential supplies could be normalised because of their effort.

“It is now clear restoration of power to a large portion of the affected areas would take time as nearly 2 lakh wired poles have been uprooted in the cyclone. The chief minister focused on making the affected areas accessible so that relief materials could be taken to them,” said an official.

Mamata asked the district magistrates to arrange for power to water supply projects at the earliest so that safe water could be delivered to the areas where pipelines were not damaged.

“The power department said 90 per cent of the damaged substations had been repaired and supply of power to vast areas was restored. In some areas, it would take time as wired poles were uprooted and many parts were still under water,” said an official.

Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba on Monday held a videoconference with top state government officials on restoration measures in the cyclone-hit areas.

While the cabinet secretary laid stress on restoration of power and telecommunication networks, the state officials assured the Centre that proper steps were being initiated to restore power supply in the affected areas at the earliest.

Gauba also informed that a central team would visit the cyclone-affected areas soon to assess the damage.

The Centre has already released a sum of Rs 1,000 crore to the state government to start the relief and restoration works.

Storm in Malda

Two persons died and some people were injured during a sudden storm that raged through Malda on Monday afternoon, reports Soumya De Sarkar.

The storm destroyed several huts in different areas of the district and uprooted a number of trees. Mango plantations have been hit by the thundershower.

Sources said Joushan Bibi, 50, a resident of Khaskol village in Milki of Englishbazar block, had died after a newly-constructed wall had fallen on her and her grandchildren. Her grandchildren are under treatment at the Malda Medical College and Hospital and are in critical condition.

Hasibul Sheikh, a 14-year-old boy of Notuntola village in Englishbazar block, died when he was struck by lightning.

In Malda town, a number of thatched houses were damaged in the storm that lasted for hardly 30 minutes. A tree was uprooted and fell on a building at Krishnapally. The residents had a close shave and later, they were shifted to safer places.