Trinath
Billyground, July 31: Squalls and heavy rains are wreaking havoc in the North and Middle Andaman region since Saturday evening.
Several low-lying areas have been flooded, trees uprooted in some places and the incessant rains are expected to continue till Monday.
In one such mishap reported from Govindapur village under Gram Panchayat, Basantipur in Middle Andaman, the family members of Mr Bibhuti Ranjan Biswas miraculously escaped unhurt after a huge paduak tree crashed over their house at about 9.30 pm on Saturday. However, neither the Forest Camp Officer nor the Ranger of the concerned division reached the spot on Sunday to clear the debris on account of being Sunday.
According to reports, the family of Bibhuti Ranjan Biswas was in deep slumber when the massive tree crashed over their residence. Luckily all the family members escaped unhurt, but the house suffered extensive damages in the incident. Breakdown of BSNL mobile services also prevented the Bibhuti Ranjan Biswas to report the matter to the rescue agencies and left with no other alternative, they took refuge in the house of their relative for the night.
Early on Sunday, the PRI members and villagers of the area reported the matter to the SHO, PS Billyground, revenue authorities and the Forest Department. The SHO PS Billyground rushed to the spot to render all possible assistance to the victims and sought the help of the Forest Department for removal of the tree over the house.
But, none from the Forest Department reached the mishap site and stated over phone ‘Today is Sunday, holiday for government officials’. Till reports last poured in, the tree is still lying crashed over the residence of Bibhuti Ranjan Biswas and his family members are taking care of the household property.
