GUWAHATI/JALUKBARI, Sept 18 - Last afternoon�s devastating storm caused extensive damage in the city and its outskirts, besides claiming three human lives.
One of the victims, identified as Pabitra Rajbongshi of Beharbari, died when he was crushed by a falling tree. The other two fatalities occurred in the Deepor Beel.
Two fishermen of Tetelia, Boripara, drowned in the water-body when their fishing boat capsized during the storm. The body of one of the victims, Arun Das (42 years), was pulled out by a team of SDRF yesterday itself, but Jairam Das� (42) body is yet to be retrieved. A search will be conducted tomorrow to fish out the body, said police sources.
The storm that lashed the city around 3.15 pm caused trees to uproot and power lines to snap. Many city areas witnessed prolonged power cuts. Restoration of power took a long time, while several places continued to be without electricity till this afternoon.
�The storm disrupted normal life in the Guwahati metropolitan area. Many trees and power poles were uprooted, causing power-cuts and road blockades. Restoration of power and other works are in progress. Many places have been cleared and electricity restored. The departments concerned are on the job and I�m constantly in touch with them,� Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu told The Assam Tribune. Dr Angamuthu added that the extent of the damage was being assessed.
The damage caused by the storm to the power network of the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) in Mirza, Boko and Chaygaon areas was also massive. Similarly, its network suffered a major damage in the Beltola, Panjabari, Khanapara areas of the city. The storm also caused damage to its network in Chandmari, Narengi and Panikhaiti areas, APDCL sources told this newspaper.
In several central and lower Assam areas, too, the storm caused massive damage to the power distribution network, making life miserable for the common people during a hot weather condition.
APDCL sources added that besides several city areas under its Lower Assam Range, the storm uprooted a huge number of trees in Mirza, Boko, Chaygaon, Barpeta, Barpeta Road and their adjacent rural areas, too, damaging electric poles and snapping wires.
In the Central Assam Range of the APDCL, the storm caused major damage to the distribution network in Nagaon and its adjacent areas, Morigaon, Lanka, Hojai, Haflong, Donkamokam, Dhekiajuli, etc. The 132-KV power line between Chandrapur and Jagiroad was also damaged. Restoration of the power distribution network in some areas of this Range remains to be done till the time of filing of this report.
