Samastipur: A powerful thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain caused widespread disruption in Samastipur and surrounding areas on Thursday evening, snapping power lines and blocking major roads. Strong winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph uprooted trees and brought down electric poles, leaving large parts of the city without electricity and stranding commuters for hours.
Power Wires Snap in Mohanpur, Blackout in Several Areas
In Mohanpur, a high-tension electric wire snapped and fell across the main road late in the evening. Fortunately, there was no live current in the wire at the time, preventing what could have been a major tragedy.
Despite avoiding an accident, the broken lines led to widespread power cuts in areas like Vivek Vihar and nearby localities. Residents spent the night in darkness and reported difficulty accessing water and other essential services.
Traffic Blocked After Tree Falls on Samastipur–Ilmas Nagar Road
The storm also caused a large tree to fall near the Muktapur stand on the Samastipur–Ilmas Nagar road, resulting in a traffic jam that persisted till late night. A similar incident occurred near the Mathurapur bus stand, where another tree blocked the road, adding to the inconvenience of commuters already grappling with poor visibility and slippery conditions due to rain.
Meteorological Department Issues Warning for More Rain
Dr. Gulab Singh, a scientist at the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University’s Meteorological Department, attributed the storm to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. He warned that similar weather conditions may continue on Friday, urging residents to stay alert.
Demand for Immediate Restoration of Power
CPI-ML District Standing Committee member Surendra Prasad Singh urged the district administration and power department to urgently restore electricity in affected areas by reconnecting the broken wires. Locals echoed this demand, expressing frustration over the delay in services despite repeated complaints.
