It never rains but pours

It is rightly said it never rains but pours. As if the menace of COVID-19 is not enough for the people, they have now simultaneously to bear the brunt of unprecedented devastation and loss of lives caused by cyclone 'Amphan'. The two worst affected states – Odisa and West Bengal – have to face the entire impact. The cyclone 'Amphan' makes West Bengal its target where as many 72 people are reported to have lost their lives. The magnitude of devastation is unending. Thousands of trees have been uprooted that block the roads and other thoroughfares with hundreds of cars and buses destroyed by the falling trees. The city of Kolkata now is in doldrum with rain water inundating many areas that include dumdum airport. As the Chief Minister concedes, it will take many days to restore the city to its original state. Kolkata and its nearby areas witnessed high-speed winds exceeding 100 kmph accompanied by heavy rains. The cyclone is said to be one of the worst of its kind to form over the Bay of Bengal in many years. Sagar Island, Kakdwip, and Diamond Harbour in South 24 Paraganas and Digha and Haldia in East Midnapur were battered by the storm. As we view the report in electronic media showing Digha and Sagar, we could view even the pucca buildings fell down due to heavy impact of the cyclone. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced payment of Rs. 2 lakh ex gratia each to the next kin of the deceased. It seems as if the entire nation is confronting the wrath and curse of nature.

Ashok Bordoloi,

Dibrugarh. 

Also Read: Assam COVID-19 Cases Rise to 259; Three more test Positive