Kolkata spared worst of Aila, early monsoons set in WB

Kolkata: West Bengal is struggling to get back on its feet after Cyclone Aila ripped through the state. Flight services have resumed, public transport too has returned to the streets of Kolkata and local train services have been partially restored.

The cyclone has now moved northwards and has weakened substantially in its course, and 69 people have died so far. More than 80,000 people were forced to abandon their homes to move to safer places. Normal life was disrupted as the cyclone left several villages in knee-deep water. Power supply remains disrupted in many areas.

The Calcutta University has postponed its graduation exams for the day. But flight and train services are slowly getting back to normal.

Although Aila veered off its course, weakening as it passed over the neighbouring districts of Hooghly, Howrah and Burdwan, heavy rain and winds of over 100 kilometers per hour speed caused a lot of damage.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Aila has created a political storm in West Bengal. While newly appointed Railway Minister and Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee is taking a special train to visit the affected areas, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has promised compensation for the victims.

"Relief has been sent to worst affected areas. Police control rooms and relief department rooms have been set up and the fire brigade and police have been alerted," said West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

"The Army has been deployed in affected areas for rescue purposes. Compensation to the victims will be given by the Central Government," he added.

Kolkata was spared the worst, but trees were uprooted and power lines snapped. Train, road and flight services were disrupted and water-logging led to huge traffic jams in the city.

The cyclone has now moved northwards, but the met department says monsoons have hit the state, and the rains will continue.

"People are advised not to go out. Heavy rainfall expected in West Bengal in the next 24 hours. With this monsoon has set over all of West Bengal," says G C Debnath of the Met department.