The super cyclone Amphan, one of the fiercest cyclones to hit India in a span of 283 years, brought unimaginable devastation to states and districts in the eastern coast of India, ravaging absolutely everything that stood in its path, affecting nearly 44 lakh people in the coastal region.
The districts which stood right in the path of ‘Amphan’, i.e. North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, East Midnapore and neighbouring districts experienced the worst casualties.
About an estimated 4000-5000 trees were uprooted, streets were flooded due to the torrential downpour which the cyclone brought along, electric supply lines, poles and even transformers in many areas were obliterated, leaving various parts of the City of Joy in darkness and fear.
Electric supply remained cut off due to destruction caused by the cyclone for several hours and in some areas it might take several days to restore supply. Even the wireless communication lines were affected which also took several hours to re-establish some sort of communication. People could not communicate with their loved ones in a time of such crisis and fear.
Another devastating part of the incident remains in the absolute destruction of the species rich, mangrove area of Sunderbans. A recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site, National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the most vital ecosystems in India, home to several species of flora and fauna was entirely obliterated, leaving several endemic species of Mangroves uprooted and lifeless. The flora of Sunderbans have protected Bengal from strong and fierce winds and storms for several years by standing in their path, but this time, it was way too much for our beloved Sunderbans.
An ecosystem which took centuries to get to this point was obliterated in one fateful night. Truly devastating!
This damage caused to the ecosystem would certainly prove to be catastrophic to the surrounding nature in a cascadic manner.
The agricultural fields, fisheries and apiaries where crops, fishes and honey are cultivated weren’t spared either. These were crucial to the state as they produce several products for human welfare and fodder for cattle in the fields to export it to various places for consumption. These districts which were hit have 45-50% population of Muslims and they lost their houses, they lost their means to earn money since all the crops were completely destroyed and it will certainly take quite a long time to re-establish their fields and thus restore their means of earning. Their houses, schools and madrasas in the North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah and neighbouring districts were completely ravaged as well, leaving thousands of Muslims homeless and in hope that the open sky above them will now provide them with some support.
Bridges fell, trees fell, vehicles were crushed and sadly enough, 82 human lives perished in the calamity. The destruction was so severe and incomprehensible that it prompted a melancholic response from the ever determined CM Mamata Banerjee, which is rare to see. With her head on her hands, she said “Everything is finished” in a miserable tone.
The destruction caused by the devastating Amphan is estimated to be of 1lakh crores and the Central Government has announced a relief of 1,000 crores as of now, which seems to be the size of a droplet of water when compared to the estimated amount required for rebuilding.
The State Government also announced that a sum of 2 lakhs will be given to the families of the deceased and 50,000 to those critically injured.
I hope that both the governments will help those who suffered diligently and everyone should come together in these dark times by giving a helping hand to those in need, however small it may be and overcome this dark phase which we are facing.