2020 has, undoubtedly, been one the worst years in decades. And, as if a pandemic wasn’t enough, India is also battling nature’s fury. The much-feared super cyclone Amphan reached Kolkata yesterday, and nearly destroyed the Kolkata Airport. After the cyclone was over, the airport was left flooded and severely damaged.
The mighty wind and storm (120 km/hour) caused by cyclone Amphan left the airport flooded. The cyclone stayed in the city for six hours, caused damage to several structures and as per reports, claimed 72 lives in Bengal.
A number of videos and pictures of the destruction at the Kolkata Airport are being shared on social media websites, showing heavy water logging around planes.
West Bengal: A portion of Kolkata Airport flooded in wake of #CycloneAmphan. pic.twitter.com/J4vqFW39no
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
All the passenger flights were suspended in Kolkata in March after the nationwide lockdown was announced to fight the deadly Coronavirus. Till now, only cargo and evacuation flights were operational. But, after the news of the cyclone, all the airport operations were shut till 5 AM today.
#CyclonAmphan Kolkata Airport Video. Cyclone is now centred over #prayforwestbengal Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/ANpZpDYWY9
— SHAMSHER SINGH (@ShamsherSLive) May 21, 2020
The cyclone hit Bengal around 2.30 PM on Wednesday and caused a lot of damage. From uprooting trees and destroying the electricity lines to hitting several buildings in the city, Amphan wrecked havoc in the state.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Kolkata Mamta Banerjee has announced a compensation of INR 2.5 lakh to the families of those who died in the cyclone.
There have been casualties. I announce a compensation of Rs 2.5 Lakh to the families of those who died in #CycloneAmphan: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee pic.twitter.com/cjRQ213BqE
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) is carrying out restoration work and clearing roads of Alipore region as a number of trees were uprooted. Most parts of the Kolkata airport are badly flooded and the whole city is in a bad condition due to the cyclone. Mostly, coastal districts and East Midnapore regions were severely affected by Amphan.
As per current updates, the Kolkata airport has resumed operations from this afternoon.