In Pics | Worst cyclones to have ever hit India

The death toll due to Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal has risen to 85, as angry Kolkatans resorted to protest and road blockades in various parts of the city over the administration's failure to restore normalcy even after three days.

With normal life thrown out of gear by the region's worst weather disasters, the authorities scrambled in various parts of the state to restore normalcy.

Also see:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/heavy-rain-185-kmph-winds-wreak-havoc-as-cyclone-amphan-hits-coasts-300065">Heavy rain, 185 kmph winds wreak havoc as Cyclone Amphan hits coasts</a>

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit Cyclone Amphan hit South 24 Parganas district on Saturday and take stock of the situation.

Lakhs of people were rendered homeless as Cyclone Amphan cut a path of destruction through half-a-dozen districts of the state on Wednesday, flattening houses, uprooting thousands of trees and swamping low-lying areas.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-amphan-leaves-kolkata-airport-flooded-hangars-damaged-beyond-repair-300105">Cyclone Amphan leaves Kolkata airport flooded; hangars damaged beyond repair</a>

According to official sources, around 1.5 crore people of the state have been directly affected and more than 10 lakh houses destroyed due to the cyclone.

Although electricity and mobile connection were restored in some parts of Kolkata, and North and South 24 Parganas districts, many areas continued to remain in darkness as power poles had been blown away and communication lines snapped.

Several roads and houses in Kolkata, Howrah, and North and South 24 Parganas districts continue to remain waterlogged, as hapless citizens came out on the streets against the administration's "apathy and ineffectiveness".

People in various parts of Kolkata staged protests and blockades since Friday night demanding immediate resumption of power and water supply, three days after Amphan ravaged the state.

Firhad Hakim, chairman of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation board of administrators, assured the people that normalcy would be restored in a week, as government officials were working round the clock to improve the situation.

"More than 5,000 trees have been uprooted. We have already cleared several roads," Hakim said. "We are in touch with the private power supply provider and had asked them to restore supply as early as possible."

In Kakdwip area of South 24 Parganas district, people complained that they were not given enough tarpaulin sheets to cover the roofs of houses damaged by the cyclone.

In Hingalganj block of North 24 Parganas, people claimed they were running out of food, as shops in the vicinity were yet to lift shutters in the aftermath of the calamity.

"The entire area is underwater and we are out of food for the last three days. We are yet to get any relief," said Geeta Mahali, a resident of the area.

Several relief camps have come up in the districts, where hapless people have queued up for two squares of meal and shelter after their homes being either blown or washed away.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Relief Force have been working on a war-footing to clear the roads blocked by the uprooted trees.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flew down to Kolkata on Friday and undertook an aerial survey of the cyclone-hit areas along with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Lauding the efforts of the state government in combating the crisis, Modi announced an advance assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for the state.

The death toll due to Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal has risen to 85, as angry Kolkatans resorted to protest and road blockades in various parts of the city over the administration's failure to restore normalcy even after three days.

The death toll due to Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal has risen to 85, as angry Kolkatans resorted to protest and road blockades in various parts of the city over the administration's failure to restore normalcy even after three days. With normal life thrown out of gear by the region's worst weather disasters, the authorities scrambled in various parts of the state to restore normalcy. Also see:Heavy rain, 185 kmph winds wreak havoc as Cyclone Amphan hits coasts West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit Cyclone Amphan hit South 24 Parganas district on Saturday and take stock of the situation. Lakhs of people were rendered homeless as Cyclone Amphan cut a path of destruction through half-a-dozen districts of the state on Wednesday, flattening houses, uprooting thousands of trees and swamping low-lying areas. Also read: Cyclone Amphan leaves Kolkata airport flooded; hangars damaged beyond repair According to official sources, around 1.5 crore people of the state have been directly affected and more than 10 lakh houses destroyed due to the cyclone. Although electricity and mobile connection were restored in some parts of Kolkata, and North and South 24 Parganas districts, many areas continued to remain in darkness as power poles had been blown away and communication lines snapped. Several roads and houses in Kolkata, Howrah, and North and South 24 Parganas districts continue to remain waterlogged, as hapless citizens came out on the streets against the administration's "apathy and ineffectiveness". People in various parts of Kolkata staged protests and blockades since Friday night demanding immediate resumption of power and water supply, three days after Amphan ravaged the state. Firhad Hakim, chairman of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation board of administrators, assured the people that normalcy would be restored in a week, as government officials were working round the clock to improve the situation. "More than 5,000 trees have been uprooted. We have already cleared several roads," Hakim said. "We are in touch with the private power supply provider and had asked them to restore supply as early as possible." In Kakdwip area of South 24 Parganas district, people complained that they were not given enough tarpaulin sheets to cover the roofs of houses damaged by the cyclone. In Hingalganj block of North 24 Parganas, people claimed they were running out of food, as shops in the vicinity were yet to lift shutters in the aftermath of the calamity. "The entire area is underwater and we are out of food for the last three days. We are yet to get any relief," said Geeta Mahali, a resident of the area. Several relief camps have come up in the districts, where hapless people have queued up for two squares of meal and shelter after their homes being either blown or washed away. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Relief Force have been working on a war-footing to clear the roads blocked by the uprooted trees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flew down to Kolkata on Friday and undertook an aerial survey of the cyclone-hit areas along with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Lauding the efforts of the state government in combating the crisis, Modi announced an advance assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for the state.

Amphan toll rises to 85 in Bengal; protests over electricity, water supply

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked the Railway Ministry not to send Shramik Special trains to the state till May 26 in view of Cyclone Amphan.

The letter from West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha to Chairman of Railway board V K Yadav dated May 22, stated that the state has been severely impacted by Super Cyclone Amphan on May 20-21 which caused extensive damage to the infrastructure.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wb-govt-not-allowing-trains-with-migrants-to-reach-state-shah-writes-to-mamata-297621">WB govt not allowing trains with migrants to reach state; Shah writes to Mamata</a>

"As the district administrations are involved in relief and rehabilitation works, it will not be possible to receive special trains for the next few days. It is therefore requested that no train should be sent to West Bengal till May 26," she said.

At least 86 people in West Bengal have died due to Cyclone Amphan. With normal life thrown out of gear by the region's worst weather disaster, the authorities have been scrambling to restore normalcy.

West Bengal has received the least number of Shramik Special trains since such service began to ferry migrant labourers back home amid the coronavirus-forced lockdown.

In fact, Home Minister Amit Shah in a letter had alleged that Bengal was not allowing its migrants to return. Later, it was decided that the consent of the destination state was not required to operate these trains.

So far, over 2,000 Shramik Special trains have been operated since May 1 ferrying over 31 lakh migrant workers. Around 25 trains have terminated in Bengal so far.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked the Railway Ministry not to send Shramik Special trains to the state till May 26 in view of Cyclone Amphan. The letter from West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha to Chairman of Railway board V K Yadav dated May 22, stated that the state has been severely impacted by Super Cyclone Amphan on May 20-21 which caused extensive damage to the infrastructure.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked the Railway Ministry not to send Shramik Special trains to the state till May 26 in view of Cyclone Amphan. The letter from West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha to Chairman of Railway board V K Yadav dated May 22, stated that the state has been severely impacted by Super Cyclone Amphan on May 20-21 which caused extensive damage to the infrastructure. Also read: WB govt not allowing trains with migrants to reach state; Shah writes to Mamata "As the district administrations are involved in relief and rehabilitation works, it will not be possible to receive special trains for the next few days. It is therefore requested that no train should be sent to West Bengal till May 26," she said. At least 86 people in West Bengal have died due to Cyclone Amphan. With normal life thrown out of gear by the region's worst weather disaster, the authorities have been scrambling to restore normalcy. West Bengal has received the least number of Shramik Special trains since such service began to ferry migrant labourers back home amid the coronavirus-forced lockdown. In fact, Home Minister Amit Shah in a letter had alleged that Bengal was not allowing its migrants to return. Later, it was decided that the consent of the destination state was not required to operate these trains. So far, over 2,000 Shramik Special trains have been operated since May 1 ferrying over 31 lakh migrant workers. Around 25 trains have terminated in Bengal so far.

West Bengal asks Railways not to send Shramik Special trains to state till May 26

Part of Bengali actor Ankush Hazra's house was affected due to the super cyclone Amphan on Wednesday night. The popular actor shared an image on Instagram that showed the extent of the damage.

Part of Bengali actor Ankush Hazra's house was affected due to the super cyclone Amphan on Wednesday night. The popular actor shared an image on Instagram that showed the extent of the damage. The actor wrote, "Cyclone or earthquake?? Condition of our bathroom.. windows broken .. hanging false ceilings.. House floor full of water..people like us can still bear all these to some extent.. but God please be with the poor and needy people.. .. amra shobai tader ektu paase darai.. #GoBack2020 #worstYear" along with the photo. View this post on Instagram ‪Cyclone or earthquake?? Condition of our bathroom.. windows broken .. hanging false ceilings.. House floor full of water..people like us can still bear all these to some extent.. but God please be with the poor and needy people.. 🙏🏻😞.. amra shobai tader ektu paase darai.. #GoBack2020 #worstYear‬ A post shared by Ankush (@ankush.official) on May 20, 2020 at 9:13am PDT × The actor lives in a luxury apartment in Kolkata. The city has been devastated due to the cyclone. Trees across the city have been uprooted, mobile towers have been destroyed along with electric lines in many parts of the city. Also read:PM Modi to conduct aerial survey of West Bengal, Odisha to review cyclone Amphan damage Several stars from the Bengali film industry took to social media to share images of destruction on the roads of Kolkata and prayed for the West Bengal to get back on its feet at the earliest. Actress and MP Mimi Chakraborty shared a video of her home and stated that force of the wind could uproot one window panel of her room completely. My entire window pane might come out anytime now😓 🌪 witnessing the unwitnessed ever Hell with this year🤯 pic.twitter.com/6nDPss4nU0 — Mimssi (@mimichakraborty) May 20, 2020 × She urged everyone to stay strong and stay together. My bengal is under severe devastation.Battle against Covid-19 was on nd now #Amphan We will fight ,we will survive as we always did.#staytogether — Mimssi (@mimichakraborty) May 21, 2020 × Her friend and fellow MP Nusrat Jahan too shared tweets in support of Bengal CM Mamata Bannerjee. All we can do at this time is to Pray. Massive destruction caused by a Natural Calamity, in ages. Let us all come together in this tough time. We shall overcome! 🙏#BengalFightsAmphan — Nusrat (@nusratchirps) May 21, 2020 × Actors Abir Chatterjee, Swastika Mukherjee and others also shared their thoughts on Amphan. Prayers for Bengal. Prayers for my family, neighbours, my strays. Prayers for all those I know and I don’t. Have mercy Oh Lord 🙏🏼 #AmphanCyclon — Swastika Mukherjee (@swastika24) May 20, 2020 × Witnessed the natural calamity so closely #AmphanCyclone It breaks my heart to see the destruction. Please #prayforwestbengal #savebengal #helpbengal 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/6btICAIrpy — subhashree ganguly (@subhashreesotwe) May 21, 2020 × Apocalypse Now. — Srijit Mukherji (@srijitspeaketh) May 20, 2020 × View this post on Instagram #StandWithBengal #SaveBengal #CycloneAmphan A post shared by Abir Chatterjee (@itsmeabirchatterjee) on May 21, 2020 at 5:35am PDT × The cyclone that affected West Bengal and Orissa have so far killed 80 people. Also read:Cyclone Amphan: Vicky Kaushal, Shabana Azmi & other B-town stars praying for safety of the people

Bengali actor Ankush Hazra's home affected by super cyclone Amphan, actor shares image on Instagram

Heavy rain, 185 kmph winds wreak havoc as Cyclone Amphan hits coasts

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that ‘Super cyclone’ Amphan has weakened into an extremely severe cyclonic storm as it approached closer to the coast of Odisha.

WION Dispatch: Cyclonic storm makes landfall in India's eastern coast

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