Bhubaneswar: Severe Kalbaisakhi storms accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain caused widespread destruction in parts of Deogarh and Sundargarh districts on Monday, damaging houses, uprooting trees, disrupting power supply and injuring several people.
In Deogarh district, extensive damage was reported from multiple areas following the evening thunderstorm.
In Navadiha village under Adash Gram Panchayat of Riamal block, asbestos roofs of several houses were blown away by the strong winds.
Similar destruction was reported from Mardang village under Dholpada Gram Panchayat in Tileibani block, where roofs of more than ten houses were blown off. Heavy rainfall also damaged household belongings, leaving several families homeless.
Local sources said some people sustained injuries after house walls collapsed in a few affected areas.
In neighbouring Sundargarh district, the industrial city of Rourkela witnessed massive destruction after a powerful Kalbaisakhi swept through the area on Monday afternoon. Within nearly half an hour of intense winds, more than 500 large trees were uprooted across the steel city, causing damage to houses, roadside shops and vehicles.
The storm also damaged the massive tent and yajna kund set up in Sector-2 for the upcoming Jagannath 32 Besha Darshan event.
At least three persons, including a woman, were injured after roadside shops collapsed during the storm. Several vehicles and auto-rickshaws were also damaged after trees fell on them.
Electric poles were snapped in many areas, disrupting power supply across most parts of Rourkela. Traffic movement was severely affected on several key roads due to uprooted trees blocking carriageways.
Restoration work was launched immediately after the storm, with teams from RSP Town Services, the Horticulture Department and the Electricity Department engaged in clearing roads, cutting fallen trees and restoring electricity on a war-footing.
