Kolkata, May 10. Disaster struck West Bengal late Sunday night as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Sadeem barrelled into the coast near Bakkhali in South 24 Parganas district. Nine deaths have so far been confirmed in directly impacted areas and thousands have been left homeless.
Winds of up to 155 km/h
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), wind gusts reached 155 kilometres per hour across Kolkata and surrounding areas. The metropolis recorded its highest rainfall in three decades. The Sunderbans region received 251 millimetres of rain — several times the average for this time of year.
Heavy damage along the coast
Waves up to four metres high battered beaches at Puri and Digha, breaching seawalls and flooding beachfront hotels. Many kuccha homes in low-lying villages collapsed. Power poles were uprooted across large swathes, knocking out electricity, while waterlogging brought Kolkata traffic to a standstill in several pockets.
Relief and rescue operations
The State Disaster Management Authority has deployed multiple Army, NDRF, and SDRF teams across the coastal districts. Thousands have been moved to relief camps. The Chief Minister's control room is conducting round-the-clock monitoring. The Centre has assured rapid relief support.