‘Phailin’ which hit Jharkhand on Saturday left a trail of destruction in the Coal and Steel belt (Dhanbad-Bokaro) of Jharkhand.
The storm with downpour since Saturday mid-night, claimed three lives in Bokaro district. At least 300 houses and over 20,000 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged in the duo districts.
Storm also disrupted rail and road transportations. Bokaro and Dhanbad districts were disconnected from the State capital for the past three days as about half kms stretch of National Highway - 23 near Siwandih about 4 kms from Bokaro Steel City, badly damaged due to landslips caused by heavy rain overnight (on Saturday).
A six year old boy Vishal Kumar in sector 12 and 88 years old lady in sector 6 were blown-off in the torrent flow of Garga River near their houses while 18 years Dharmendra Kissku died due to lightening struck at Jaridih block, said Singh.
“At least 115 houses are damaged and 150 people are affected due to cyclone, said DC adding “relief works are going on war foot basis; might be intensified after getting the actual figures”.
With power disrupted, trees uprooted, traffic snarls, rooftops and hoardings blown off the heavy downpour also destroyed puja pandals, forced residents to remain indoors; diminished the festive fervor. Several power transmission towers were uprooted and damaged by the cyclone, leaving the duo districts without electricity. Though the power crisis erupted in the city due to partial failure of the power production unit by DVC, which is being repaired, sources informed.
Posh colony like Co-operative colony, BIADA Colony including satellite town of Chas is reeling due to absence of the two necessities, which has forced the people to live in darkness, without drinking water.