Storm pummels two tea gardens in Kalchini block of Alipurduar district

The storm damaged workers’ quarters, manufactured tea which was ready for dispatch and portions of tea plantations and snapped power supply

A trail of destruction was left by a sudden storm in two tea gardens in the Kalchini block of Alipurduar district on Sunday evening.

TT, Alipurduar, 30.04.24:: The storm damaged workers’ quarters, manufactured tea which was ready for dispatch and portions of tea plantations and snapped power supply.

“Although the storm lasted for around 20 minutes from 5pm, it caused massive damage. After the storm, there was rainfall which went on for another half an hour,” said a resident of Kalchini.

In the Dima tea garden, the tinned roofs of the residences of two assistant managers were damaged. A portion of the boundary wall of the garden’s factory also collapsed.

“At least 50 workers’ quarters have been destroyed while another 150 quarters have been partially damaged. We had around 4,000 kilos of packed tea which were also destroyed,” said Dibyendu Nandi, a senior manager of the garden, who pegged the total loss at around ₹50 lakh.

Another damaged quarters in the tea garden.

The storm uprooted hundreds of shade trees in the garden. “A number of roads in the garden were blocked by the uprooted trees. Many people have spent a sleepless night under the open sky,” said a worker of Dima.

The plantation has altogether 1,700 workers.

The storm also snapped power cables. “Last night, there was no power in many places. Teams of WBSEDCL worked throughout the night and restored power in most locations by this afternoon,” said a source in the Kalchini block administration.

On the Mechpara tea estate, at least 60 workers’ quarters were completely damaged.

“The high-tension power line of the garden was affected in the storm. Because of the natural disaster, the attendance of workers was poor today,” said N.K. Singh, the senior manager of the Mechpara garden.

The storm also damaged around 100 huts in Chuapara, sources said. Also, there had been minor damage in some other tea gardens like Kalchini, Atiabari, Gangutia, Rajabhat and Bhatkhawa, all of which are in the Kalchini block.

Officials of the district administration said block officials had been asked to provide necessary relief to the affected residents. A survey will also be conducted to assess the loss, said a source.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph