10-minute storm batters Sunderbans

GOSABA/KOLKATA: Memories of Aila and fear of death stalked boatmen and passengers on Tuesday after a 10-minute thunderstorm flattened major parts of Sunderbans. When TOI went to the affected spots on Wednesday, traumatized locals were still picking up the pieces. Some have lost their houses, some their livelihood. At some areas, buildings were found demolished.
"We survived Aila. But this time, we thought we won't make it," said Rangabelia resident Amala Maity, who was on her way to Gosaba with her seven-year-old son. Boatman Lakshman Das, who has a ferry service from Godkhali to Gosaba, had to battle waves and nerves to ensure safety of over a hundred passengers.
"When I had almost covered three-fourth of the distance, the storm started getting more intense. A little earlier, we received a warning from the boat owner on mobile phone. But by then we were a long way off," he said. Das managed to reach the bank around 5.20pm, just as the storm reached a crescendo. All tourists got off the boat even as it kept rocking. The boat was towed to a creek to keep it safe. "Mid-river I could feel the force of the wind. I forced myself to steer it and not tip over. Most of the passengers were students. I was determined not to let them down, and the concern for their safety kept me going," he added.
Across Sunderbans, banking services have stopped as internet is down. Electricity supply is hit as posts and lines have been damaged. Houses have been badly-hit with pillars uprooted, roofs blown away and walls collapsing. The picture was similar across the islands, at Chandipur, Biprodaspur, Kumirmari, Satjelia, Lahiripur, Rangabelia and extended areas.
Also facing nature's fury was the Adivasi Free Primary school, where the tin roof of the ICDS centre used for mid-day meal of children, was blown away and spotted half a kilometre away. The security wall of Rangabelia high school girl's hostel was crushed.
In all, 11 vessels sank but were all unoccupied. Boat owner Sahana Middya said, "I saw two semi-launches sinking - one at Thanarghat and another at Unionerghat. The second boat was tied to the bank. The gust of wind kept it banging against the embankment and the boat was smashed to smithereens."
Ashok Das of Sonarpur had come to Basanti to meet his relatives and they were on way to Sajnekhali for a trip.
"A little after the tourist launch left Godkhali, the boatman got a notification on mobile and returned to Godkhali. We were lucky that there was only a little chaos while disembarking. It could have been much worse," he said. The 2-2.5 ft waves combined with wind gave a scare to even the seasoned locals. Gosaba BDO Suman Chakraborty said, "It was a 10-minute storm. Areas in Gosaba suffered major damage. The exact amount of loss is being calculated."