Bhubaneswar: A severe nor’wester (Kalabaisakhi) has caused widespread destruction to several Odisha districts, particularly in the coastal and northern districts.
As per reports, Bhubaneswar received 26.2 mm of rainfall, while Puri got 26 mm, Dhenkanal 23.8 mm, Balasore 18 mm, Baripada 11 mm, Paralakhemundi 6.6 mm, Khordha and Angul 2 mm each, and Cuttack 3.2 mm due to the nor’wester.
The norwester, which brought winds gusting up to 60 kmph, has caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure on Friday.
The affected districts include Khordha, Balasore, Cuttack, Puri, Angul, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Balangir, and Khordha. Trees were uprooted, and roofs were torn off houses in many areas. The strong winds have also led to power outages, with electricity poles toppling in rural areas.
Reports indicate that one person died in Puri district and two in Balasore district due to the storm. Heavy rainfall has caused waterlogging on roads, leading to traffic congestion in Bhubaneswar and other cities.
The nor’wester has left a trail of destruction, with many areas struggling to restore normalcy. Authorities are working to repair damaged infrastructure and restore the power supply.
The nor’wester has caused significant damage, with reports indicating that one person died in Puri district and two in Balasore district. The strong winds have also led to power outages, with electricity poles toppling in rural areas, disrupting the power supply.
A strong gust of wind from the nor’wester storm uprooted a tree in Patnagarh in Balangir district, which then fell on eight parked motorcycles, severely damaging them. In Mayurbhanj district, the Karanjia, Sukruli, and Raruan blocks were hit by hailstorms, resulting in over 80 houses being damaged.
Besides, heavy rainfall caused by norwester led to waterlogging on roads, creating chaotic situations in various areas. In the state capital, pedestrians and commuters were seen stuck on national highways and traffic intersections for hours.
