Sundargarh: A powerful Kalbaishakhi (Nor’wester) storm that struck on Wednesday evening has brought life in the Bonai sub-division of Sundargarh district to a standstill, causing widespread destruction and leaving thousands of residents without electricity for more than 32 hours.
The violent thunderstorm ripped off roofs, uprooted trees, and severely damaged the power infrastructure, plunging large parts of the region into darkness. With the power grid crippled, affected families are forced to take shelter on roadsides to escape the sweltering heat and humidity.
Local fire services, along with teams from Rourkela and Deogarh, are working tirelessly to clear debris and restore normalcy. However, progress has been slow due to the extensive damage.
In response to the crisis, the Sundargarh Collector Subhankar Mohapatra has ordered a high-level inquiry and vowed strict action against two officials reportedly absent during the emergency.
The Trail of Destruction
The Bonai sub-divisional headquarters was among the worst hit, with power supply remaining disrupted even 24 hours after the storm. Officials indicated that full restoration could take significantly longer given the scale of dam
age to the power network.
Soyam Sahu, Junior Engineer of Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPWODL) for Bonai and Gurundia blocks, told TNIE that around 50 poles of 11 kV and low-tension lines, along with eight distribution transformers, were damaged. He also mentioned extensive damage to 11 kV and 33 kV feeder lines caused by fallen trees in Bonai, Tuniapali, and Gurundia areas.
Restoration efforts began on a war footing from Wednesday night, but Sahu cautioned that the process may take longer than anticipated. Approximately 20,000 consumers remain without power, he added.
In the Lahunipada and Koida blocks, TPWODL Junior Engineer Debabrata Sethi said around 10,000 consumers were affected. He reported 30-40 per cent damage to feeder lines at multiple locations, including Lahunipada block headquarters, Tumkela, Gamlei, Lalei, Birtola, Kekra, Darjing, Chandiposh, Lutharbam, Roxy, K Balang, and Kapanda. Ten 11 kV poles and 15 low-tension poles were damaged in these areas.
Power supply to the Lahunipada block headquarters was restored by late Thursday evening, with work continuing in other affected zones.
Bonai Tehsildar Sambit Das said the nor’wester hit the region around 4:35 pm on Wednesday, causing heavy destruction. Old trees were uprooted on the premises of the sub-collectorate, tehsil office, and other government buildings. Roads were blocked at several places, including Kendrikela and Deogarh Chhak.
Bonai Sub-Collector Ashok Das informed that three teams of fire service and forest personnel have been deployed to clear the blocked roads. Preliminary assessments show that at least 100 houses suffered severe damage, while around 400 others were partially damaged across the sub-division.