Cyclone Amphan killed 72 people in West Bengal, says CM Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today informed that as many has 72 people had been killed in the state due to the cyclone. As per the details given by her, 15 people died in Kolkata, 18 in North 24 Parganas, 17 in North 24 Parganas, seven in Howrah, six people were killed in East Medinipore and two in Hooghly.
Banerjee also announced an exgratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each to the family of those killed in Cyclone Amphan.
The chief minister has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state and assess the damage caused by Cyclone Amphan himself.
"At present the situation is not okay. I urge the PM to make a visit. Even I will make an ariel survey but I'm waiting for the weather to improve," she said.
Giving details of the destruction done by Cyclone Amphan, Banerjee said, Trees have been damaged extensively due to the cyclone. Large scale afforestation has to be done by the forest department. Sunderbans mangrove cover has suffered hugely. Fresh plantation of mangroves must be ensured."
As per IMD's latest release, Kolkata faced maximum sustained wind speed anywhere during the cyclone on Wednesday. Kolkata (Dum Dum) reported wind speed of 130 kmph at 6:55 pm and Kolkata (Alipore) 112 kmph at 5:52 pm on Wednesday. Various parts of the city recorded rainfall above 20 cm.
