An uprooted coconut tree on electricity cables in Berhampur. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, May 3: The silk city plunged into darkness yesterday evening after several large trees, uprooted by a storm, fell on cables and snapped electricity connection. Heavy storm and rain lashed the city yesterday evening.

A woman was injured when a large tree fell on their house. “Six members of our family had a providential escape,” Raghunath Nayak said.

Many large trees were uprooted at different places including Khallikote College Square, Lanjipalli-Industrial Estate Road, Khodasingi, Giri Road, Medical College Square, Sales Tax Office Square and Engineering School Square. Some autorickshaws were also damaged at Ramlingam Tank Road and Medical College Square when trees fell on them, sources said.

But most roads were cleared by today noon with the help of local residents and Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) staff.

Tin roofs of about 80 houses at Trimurti Nagar blew away in Lathi area, said local sarpanch Rankanidhi Panda. “The storm blew away the tin roof and our other belongings including clothes. I am now left with just the one saree which I was wearing earlier,” Kanchan Maharana (60) said.

The storm also damaged Biju Patnaik Park here. “A swing inside the park was completely damaged after a coconut tree fell on it. Many vehicles parked outside were also damaged,” said a staff at the park.

Water supply to many areas have also been hit. “Pumping of water in many pumping centres was affected because there was no electricity. We would supply water as soon as electricity is restored,” said a pump driver of the public health department. The district administration is assessing the extent of damage in Berhampur.