Sorada, Ganjam: A powerful Kalbaisakhi storm caused widespread destruction in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Thursday evening, uprooting trees, damaging public infrastructure, disrupting electricity supply, and affecting normal life across Sorada town. The severe thunderstorm, accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall, left thousands of residents grappling with prolonged power outages, blocked roads, and water supply disruptions.
The storm struck the town with tremendous force, causing significant damage within a matter of minutes. One of the major structures affected was the indoor stadium in Sorada, where a portion of the roof was blown away due to intense winds. Rainwater entered the premises, resulting in substantial damage to the facility. Several electricity poles and power lines were also uprooted, leading to a complete blackout in many areas for more than 12 hours.
Roads Blocked as Trees Collapse
The impact of the storm was visible across several roads connecting Sorada and nearby Bhanjanagar. Large trees were uprooted and fell across key routes, obstructing vehicular movement and creating major inconveniences for commuters. In some areas, fallen trees damaged residential properties, although no casualties or serious injuries have been reported so far.
Emergency response teams, including personnel from the Fire Services Department, were immediately deployed to clear roads and remove fallen trees. Restoration work on damaged power infrastructure is also underway.
Residents Recall Unprecedented Damage
Locals described the Kalbaisakhi as one of the most intense storms witnessed in recent years. Residents said the storm lasted barely ten minutes between 5 PM and 6 PM but caused extensive destruction.
Many households continue to face difficulties due to the prolonged power outage, which has also affected drinking water supply in several localities. Residents urged the administration to expedite restoration efforts and ensure essential services are resumed at the earliest.
Power and Water Supply Restoration Underway
The disruption of electricity has emerged as one of the biggest concerns following the storm. With power supply remaining suspended for hours, water distribution systems were also affected, leaving residents struggling for basic necessities.
Authorities have begun assessing the overall damage caused by the Kalbaisakhi storm. Restoration of electricity, repair of damaged infrastructure, and reopening of blocked roads remain the administration’s top priorities.
As emergency teams continue operations on the ground, residents hope for a swift return to normalcy while weather officials continue monitoring changing weather conditions across Odisha.
