Storm-Triggered Tree Falls Kill Two in Kolkata; Train Services Disrupted

Kolkata, May 2, 2025 — A fierce thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds and rain on Thursday evening wreaked havoc across several areas in Kolkata, claiming two lives and severely disrupting suburban rail services.

In Behala’s Parnasree area, a tragic incident occurred when a large tree collapsed during the storm, fatally injuring a woman identified as Meena Ghosh. Eyewitnesses reported that she was crushed by the falling tree and rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead. Another individual was also injured in the same incident and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Second Fatality Reported in Barasat

In a separate incident in Indira Colony, Barasat, a 30-year-old man named Govinda Bairagi died after a tree crashed onto his house while he was sleeping inside. Neighbours helped remove the tree and rushed him to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Vehicles Damaged, Rail Operations Affected

Near Sealdah, a tree fell on a moving car, causing substantial damage, though no injuries were reported. The impact of the storm extended to rail services in the Sealdah division. A tree fell onto the railway tracks near the Naihati local line, halting the up-train service for over an hour. Rail officials managed to restore operations after removing the obstruction.

Additionally, another tree collapse affected the overhead electrical lines between Madhyamgram and Birati, causing significant disruption in local train services.

By late evening, railway authorities confirmed that most services had resumed, but delays persisted due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing repair efforts.

Authorities Urge Caution as Weather Remains Unpredictable

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of more thunderstorms in the coming days and urged residents to take precautions, especially during high wind alerts. Emergency teams and disaster response units remain on alert across the city.

These incidents highlight the severe impact of seasonal storms in densely populated urban areas and the importance of timely infrastructure assessments and tree maintenance.