Bhadrak, Mar 26: A powerful Kalbaisakhi storm swept through Bhandaripokhari and Bant regions, leaving behind widespread destruction and disrupting daily life. The sudden storm caused severe damage to houses, uprooted trees, snapped electric wires, and blocked major roads, creating chaos across several villages.

In Tilo Panchayat’s Dhobatalia village, multiple families suffered heavy losses as their thatched roofs were blown away, leaving homes exposed to the elements. Villages under Bant, Tilo, Padhanpada, Nilok, Basantia, Sendatira, Gobindpur, and Ramachandrapur Panchayats reported snapped electricity lines, resulting in a complete power outage.

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Transportation was paralyzed in areas such as Raghunathpur, Ramachandrapur, and Gobindpur, where uprooted trees fell across roads, obstructing movement. Fire service teams were deployed promptly to cut down fallen trees and clear the roads, restoring partial connectivity.

The storm was accompanied by heavy rainfall and hail, which devastated standing crops. Farmers in several villages reported severe losses as their seasonal harvest was destroyed, adding to the distress caused by the storm.

Local residents have urged the Tahasil and Block administration to provide immediate relief and compensation to affected families. Community leaders emphasized the need for swift government intervention to support those who lost homes, crops, and livelihoods in the storm’s aftermath.

The Kalbaisakhi phenomenon, known for its sudden and violent nature, once again highlighted the vulnerability of rural households and agricultural communities in Odisha. Relief measures are expected to be announced soon, but for now, villagers continue to grapple with the storm’s devastating impact.