Mega Jagadhatri pandal, housing 75ft idol, collapses due to cyclonic winds in Chandannagar, at least 7 injured

A major tragedy struck the famous Jagadhatri Puja festivities in Chandannagar after the massive, tallest idol, along with a portion of its pandal, collapsed suddenly due to heavy wind and rain. The disaster occurred at the Kanailalpalli area, one of the primary attractions of the festival. Initial reports suggest that at least seven people were injured in the incident, leading to widespread panic in the locality on Tuesday.

The incident took place as the area began to experience a sudden and significant shift in weather conditions shortly after noon. Strong, gusty winds and persistent rain swept through Chandannagar, a city renowned for its elaborate Jagadhatri Puja celebrations. Today marks Saptami of the Puja, drawing massive crowds of devotees and visitors from early morning, intensifying the scale of the crisis when the collapse happened.

The weather change is linked to Cyclone Mantha brewing in the Bay of Bengal. While weather experts predict the cyclone will make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, its impact is already being felt across the coastal areas of Bengal and in some Southern districts, including where the incident occurred, with heavy rain and squally winds.

The Kanailalpalli pandal was a key focal point this year, primarily due to its massive, 75-foot fiberglass idol of Jagadhatri. The idol was heavily promoted as the tallest Jagadhatri figure, attracting a large concentration of visitors.