Kolkata: Lightning killed four people in Kolkata and surrounding North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, while the authorities issued a flood alert yesterday for people residing in low-lying areas and the coastal region following recent heavy rains.
Normal life was thrown out of gear following a sudden spate of heavy rains that uprooted trees and lamp posts in Kolkata and adjoining areas, officials said.
Three school students died when they were struck by lightning at Deganga in neighbouring North 24 Parganas district, said control room sources. Another succumbed at Durgapur Math , an officer manning the city police control room reported.
A student was injured after a tree fell on him in Jadavpur University’s Salt Lake campus.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a high-level meeting at the assembly to take stock of the situation and take preventive measures. Senior ministers and bureaucrats were present.
State Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra later told reporters that people residing in low lying areas have been asked to remain vigilant. Fishermen in the coastal region have been advised not to venture into the sea.
Mitra said disaster management teams and dry food and water pouches were being sent to the districts where there were apprehensions of floods. The state government has requested the central government to inform it in advance about release of water from reservoirs in neighbouring Jharkhand. The city recorded 19.5 mm rainfall over 24 hours till 5.30 p.m. yesterday. IANS
