Normalcy returned to Kolkata on Tuesday after electricity and water supply were restored in parts of the city that have witnessed protests over the lack of essential services since cyclone Amphan made landfall on May 20.
However, sporadic protests continued in some areas. A Trinamool Congress MLA was injured in one such demonstration in Nadial, and had to be admitted to hospital with head injuries.
Home Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay said electricity had been restored in 94 of the 103 municipal towns affected by the cyclone, while telecommunication services were back in 85 per cent of such areas.Addressing media persons at the state secretariat, Bandyopadhyay said, “Due to cyclone Amphan, 16 districts were affected. As many as 86 people were killed and nearly six crore people affected. In total, 8.13 lakh people were shifted to relief camps. Now, nearly three lakh people are living in those shelters. However, it will take some time to restore essential services in remote areas. Power supply has been restored in 94 municipal towns. We have also distributed 50 lakh water pouches.”
The home secretary said all state and national highways were operational. According to him, 60 per cent of the area in the state affected by the storm had got back power.
“Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) has claimed that they are working hard to restore power supply. They also said that teams from Rajasthan have been brought to complete the work immediately,” Bandyopadhyay added.
According to Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials, the restoration work is going on a war footing. “In the next few days, all roads where trees were uprooted will be cleared. So far, trees on all major roads have been cleared,” said a civic body official.
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