After state's request, Army to send five columns to West Bengal to assist restoration work

Hours after West Bengal government requested support for immediate restoration of essential infrastructure and services devastated by Cyclone Amphan, Indian Army has said it will provide five columns to assist Kolkata City Civil Administration for work.

five Army columns will be deployed to Tollygunge, Ballygunge, Rajarhat/New Town, Diamond Harbour and Behala areas that are close to state capital Kolkata, one of hardest-hit cities by cyclone. units will be equipped with road and tree clearing equipment.

READ | Bengal Seeks Army's Help To Restore Essential Infrastructure Ravd By Cylcone Amphan

Bengal requests assistance

In a series of tweets earlier on Friday,  Bengal Home Department called for mobilisation of "maximum strength on 24x7 basis" to restore essential services like drinking water, sanitation, and power supply.

government also asked for assistance from Railways and private sector in providing manpower and equipment. department said hundreds of teams were already at work clearing remains of uprooted trees and buildings felled and destroyed due to heavy rains brought by Amphan and wind speeds up to 190 km per hour that gushed through coastal Bengal, particularly Kolkata.

READ | Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Speaks To CM Mamata About Cyclone Amphan Dams In Bengal

Calls for help

department added, "Drinking water and drain infrastructure getting restored fast. PHE asked to supply water pouches in gap pockets. Generators being hired where necessary. More than a hundred teams from multiple departments and bodies working for cutting of fallen trees, which is key to restoration of power in localities. WBSEDCL & CESC asked to deploy maximal manpower, even while lockdown significantly affects deployment potential of latter. Police on high alert."

plea for help comes after Indian Air Force on Friday said it has readied 25 aircraft and 31 choppers for relief operations in areas affected by Cyclone Amphan. " aircraft/helicopters were modified with required equipment for undertaking relief operations and are on standby with crew for quick deployment at various IAF bases," it said in a statement.

READ | PM Modi Praises Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's Efforts In Tackling Cyclone Crisis

Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal

Cyclone Amphan which reported winds up to 190 kmph made landfall at Digha coast of West Bengal at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, hitting Kolkata a few hours later. re were widespread power cuts in large parts of Kolkata, rth 24 Paraganas, and South Paraganas. Mobile and internet services were also down in parts of state as cyclone damd several communication towers. At least 80 people have been killed in calamity, while thousands are displaced.

Streets and homes in low lying areas of Kolkata were swamped with rainwater. Portions of several dilapidated buildings came crashing down in Kolkata and or parts of state. Embankments in Sundarban delta were also breached as surge whipped up by cyclone inundated several kilometers of island. 

READ | Dalai Lama Writes To Mamata, Naveen Patnaik; Condoles Deaths Due To Cyclone Amphan