Man dies in blast following storm-triggered fire at Princep Ghat

A man died in a tragic accident at Prinsep Ghat during Thursday's Kalbaisakhi storm after a tree branch fell on him and subsequently ignited railway overhead wires. According to reports, the incident occurred beside the Circular Railway tracks, where the victim had reportedly gone beneath a mango tree to collect fallen mangoes during the storm. A large branch suddenly snapped and fell, causing severe head injuries. The branch then landed on the railway overhead wires, triggering a fire. The injured man was rescued and taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The incident took place as a powerful Kalbaisakhi storm swept across Kolkata and adjoining areas during the afternoon. Strong winds and heavy rainfall affected several parts of the city, resulting in fallen trees and disruptions at multiple locations. The accident at Prinsep Ghat occurred amid these adverse weather conditions, with the fallen branch striking both the victim and the railway infrastructure.

Since the morning, the sky over Kolkata and surrounding areas had remained overcast before deteriorating rapidly during the afternoon. Gusty winds and intense rainfall began shortly after 2 pm, with wind speeds reaching nearly 88 kmph in parts of the city. Trees were uprooted in several locations, including Salt Lake, while heavy rain led to waterlogging on numerous roads. The storm caused widespread disruption across different parts of Kolkata during its peak intensity.