Indian army arrives to help Kolkata recover from devastating Cyclone Amphan

At least 112 people were killed in eastern India and Bangladesh during the strongest storm to hit the region since 1999

’This is a huge disaster. We need to have patience, because nobody has seen such a disaster before,’ West Bengal’s chief minister said

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Indian soldiers cut trees to clear the roads in the aftermath of Cyclone Amphan. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:00pm, 24 May 2020Updated: 6:04pm, 24 May 2020

The Indian Army has been mobilised to help with the clean-up after a devastating cyclone hit the eastern city of Kolkata, as thousands on Sunday protested again over power and water shortages.

At least 112 people were killed in eastern India and Bangladesh after Cyclone Amphan – the strongest storm to hit the region since 1999 – struck on Wednesday.

Streets were flooded in Kolkata, home to 15 million people, while power lines were brought down and fallen trees blocked roads.

At least 112 people were killed during Cyclone Amphan. Photo: Reuters

Authorities already grappling with the coronavirus struggled to clear roads – some which remained flooded – as well as restore electricity and water to homes.

Police used batons to disperse the protesters as Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal – of which Kolkata is the capital – called for calm.

“This is a huge disaster. We need to have patience, because nobody has seen such a disaster before,” Banerjee said on Sunday.