Though cyclone Komen has weakened into a depression, the worry is of the continuing forecast of very heavy rains in the southern districts of West Bengal.
Though wind speeds have slowed down and the cyclone Komen has weakened into a depression as it crossed from Bangladesh into West Bengal late last night, the worry is of the continuing forecast of very heavy rains in the southern districts.
Because of the monsoons, thousands of cusecs of water are being released from barrages, leading to flooding in low lying areas of Bankura, Birbhum and Burdwan districts. Heavy rains could make things worse in these areas, where almost 26,000 people have already been moved to 227 relief camps.
"It is a very difficult situation," said a villager in Bankura district. "The Hinglo river is flowing over National Highway 60 near our house. Many villagers are stranded. Many have gone to relief camps. Children are not going to school. It is too dangerous to cross the water in small boats," he added.
Burdwan has the maximum number of 186 relief camps set up by the state, as the district has more than half of the total displaced people as well.
The Habra area in North 24 Parganas was also hit by a tornado like storm on Wednesday. 35 year old farmer Bhabananda Biswas claims he was swept up by the tornado for several seconds. "I have never seen a tornado before. When it came, I was rushing to the house but I was tossed up into the air by the wind. I had nothing to hold on to. Then I fell and hurt my spinal cord," he said.
There are about 50 relief camps set up in North 24 Parganas, though most people are getting help from local officials, there are some who unhappy. One of them who has been coming to the local relief camp for the past three days, Kalpana Roy, said, "I have got no relief. The roof of my house was blown away and a tree fell on it. I am staying with some neighbours as one member of my family is sick and I cannot bring him to the camp".
Despite the cyclone having weakened, the forecast of heavy rains remains the biggest worry.