28 thatched houses collapse in Ghatsila, 40 trains cancelled

Many trees and electric poles etc too were uprooted in Dhalbhumgarh and Chakulia Blocks under Ghatsial sub-division with gusty winds and rains lashing the area since morning.

About 20 kutchha houses and several roadside shops collapsed in Ghatsila subdivision under East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand as incessant rains lashed most parts of East Singhbhum since early morning here on Friday in the wake of severe cyclonic storm hitting the coasts of Puri in Odisha this afternoon, officials said this evening.

Meanwhile, South Eastern Railway (SE Railway) has stated that its EMU service on Friday was cancelled as per schedule of Sunday. Moreover, nine other Up EMU locals and 10 Dn locals were also cancelled today.(HT Photo)

Many trees and electric poles etc too were uprooted in Dhalbhumgarh and Chakulia Blocks under Ghatsial sub-division with gusty winds and rains lashing the area since morning. Water logging created much problem in Haldipokhar under Potka Block of the district in view of hav rains since morning.

“Effects of Fani has been felt in many areas of Ghatsila sub-division with rain and winds lashing the area. We have received information of some thatched houses collapsing in Dhalbhumgah and Chakulia Blocks and have taken necessary measures to rescue the families and bring them to safety of temporary camps,” Amit Kumar, East Singhbhum deputy commissioner (DC), told HT this evening.

As per reports sent to the DC by the block development officers (BDOs) concerned till this evening, 20 thatched houses in Chulripada under Heldajuri panchayat of Dhalbhumgarh, five houses in Kendadih and three in Chalunia under Chakulia Block of the district have been damaged. All the affected families have been shifted to nearby schools.

Local sources, however, claimed that about 50 houses have collapsed under Heldajuri panchayat alone while trees and electric and telephone poles too have been uprooted, resulting in road blockades at many places. Rains have, however, stopped now as weather department said Fani cyclone too has started losing steam after landfall in Puri.

Meanwhile, South Eastern Railway (SE Railway) has stated that its EMU service on Friday was cancelled as per schedule of Sunday. Moreover, nine other Up EMU locals and 10 Dn locals were also cancelled today. This apart, a pair of Digha EMU local and eight passenger trains in Khargapur-Balasore-Bhadrak section were also canceled in view of passenger security and safety in the wake of Fani.