Kolkata, Jun 16 () Bengalis are in for a pleasant surprise amid the COVID-19 gloom, as fishermen in West Bengal have exuded hope of a bumper 'hilsa' yield this year, given the dip in economic activities in the seas over the past three months due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. With monsoon having arrived, many of them have already ventured out with their trawlers, trying their best to lay hands on the prized 'silver crop' a nonpareil delicacy that can be savoured when fried or cooked in mustard sauce. "As there was near-zero commercial activity in the seas and the rivers, and no industrial effluents were released into the waters during this three-month hiatus, fish breeding, which is common during this season, is bound to pick up pace. "Since June 14, several fishermen have set sail. The catch is expected to be higher this time, compared to the past two years," Sunderban Development Minister Manturam Pakhira told on Tuesday. Ganga meets Bay of Bengal near Sunderbans in South 24 Parganas district, and the confluence happens to be the breeding ground for 'hilsa', which moves upstream from the sea to the river around this time of the year. Most of the 12,000 big trawlers in Kakdwip belt of the district are expected to hit the seas over the next few days. "We can give you an approximate figure of the yield after 15 days. One thing is for sure, there was barely any movement of vessels during the lockdown. It reduced water pollution, and aquatic life remained largely undisturbed. So we are expecting a bumper 'hilsa' yield," Pakhira said. Bijan Maity, the general secretary of Kakdwip Fishermen Association, said anything between 32,000 and 35,000 metric tonne would be considered good catch. "Last year, the yield did not cross 12,000 metric tonne due to factors such as pollution and late arrival of the monsoon. We are positive this year will be different. Amid the lockdown, work such as maintenance of trawlers and repair of fishing net was put on hold. Hence, some fishermen are taking time to set sail," Maity said. Claiming that several unscrupulous fishermen flout April-May ban on fishing to rake in more moolah, Maity also said that this year, however, not many could do that, amid the strict restrictions in place. This year, the fish will be bigger in size and probably tastier, he said. "Our catch is sold across Bengal, and other in other parts of the country. We are hopeful of tickling the taste buds of Bengalis amid the COVID-19 gloom," Maity said. Pakhira insisted all fishermen have been told to wear masks, use sanitisers, especially when they sell their catch. Vice Chairman of Digha-Sankarpur Development Authority Akhil Giri said trawlers have also set sail from the East Midnapore district. "Fishermen had suffered losses last year. This year, they are expecting a good crop," he added. SUS RMS RMS

'Hilsa' boom amid COVID-19 gloom in Bengal

<ul><li><keyword id="9223881" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="amphan">Amphan</keyword> is the strongest cyclone ever formed in the Bay of Bengal⁠. </li><li>At least 12 people were killed including a 7 year old boy in West Bengal. There were two deaths reported in Odisha. </li><li>In Bangladesh, over a million people were left without electricity after strong winds snapped electricity lines. </li><li>Get the latest news and updates on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/">Business Insider</a> </li></ul>An extremely severe cyclone Amphan with a wind speed of 190 kilometers per hour rampaged through coastal Odisha and West Bengal, triggering heavy rain, swamping electric poles, homes and farmland — leaving at least 14 people dead. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been monitoring the situation at state secretariat Nabanna since May 19, said the impact of Amphan was "worse than coronavirus". Amphan is the strongest cyclone ever formed in the Bay of Bengal⁠— worse than the <keyword id="1740331" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Odisha-cyclone">Odisha Cyclone</keyword> of 1999 which moved at a speed of 260 kilometres per hour and killed 10,000 people. READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/satellite-pictures-of-amphan-super-cyclone-heading-to-odisha-bengal-under-orange-alert/articleshow/75817988.cms">Satellite pictures show super cyclone Amphan is raging across the sea at 270 kilometers per hour⁠— West Bengal and Odisha under ‘orange’ alert</a> Here are some devastating pictures from West Bengal and Odisha: The extremely severe cyclone ‘Amphan’ slammed Digha coast of West Bengal at 2.30 pm on May 20, triggering heavy rainfall and gustings in various parts of the state. <div type="twitter" handle="GoenkaPk" handlename="Pawan K Goenka" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2554687910/cx8zjl9hfcsvf50mwn21_normal.jpeg" favoritecount="875" retweetcount="341" status="A scene From my brother’s house in Kolkata. They say they have never seen anything like this ever. Pray to god this… https://t.co/tIDBkfUj7g" createdat="1589988113000" id="1263127814607261696"></div> After making landfall at 2.30 p.m. between Digha in West Bengal and Hatiya island in Bangladesh, cyclone Amphan cut a swathe through the coastal areas, flattening fragile dwellings, uprooting trees and electric poles. <div type="image" title="C79B24C4-5DD4-4E5B-9D7F-B996B2FD5D53" msid="75860345" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Tree upruted at S N Banerjee road in Kolkata&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Over 6.58 lakh people were evacuated in West Bengal and Odisha before the cyclone struck. <div type="image" title="A5A01D56-1B6B-4F00-BF86-27D335557882" msid="75860389" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Migrant workers returning home from Nagpur hide under a truck over cyclone warning &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Strong winds with speed up to 125 kmph per hour upturned cars in Kolkata and felled trees and electricity poles blocking important roads and intersections. <div type="image" title="b8e1f9e4ebfe6aea56bb7143691369e3" msid="75860382" hostid="261"></div> In North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore, roofs of thatched houses were blown away, electric poles got twisted and hundreds of trees broken and uprooted. There was a massive power cut in large parts of Kolkata, North 24 Parganas and South Parganas. The mobile and internet services were also down as the cyclone had damaged several communication towers. <div type="image" title="965e41aa8df9f67b3628c772b3289a90" msid="75860426" hostid="261"></div> In Bangladesh, over a million people were left without electricity after strong winds snapped electricity lines.Bangladesh reported 3 deaths including a child and a 70 year old. <div type="image" title="CDD9EAEF-06A5-41CD-A9CA-E8294020A3AC" msid="75860498" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Kolkata after cyclone amphan&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Some 740 houses in Patuakhali were washed away as an advanced surge of tidal wave cracked a coastal embankment while the cyclone was approaching. <div type="image" title="b385274188db391c8da771a68d8dcb7a" msid="75860538" hostid="261"></div> SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/cyclone-amphan-landfall-west-bengal-odisha-bangladesh-news-and-updates/articleshow/75845751.cms">Cyclone Amphan makes landfall — 2 killed in Odisha </a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/india-is-about-to-get-hit-by-a-super-cyclone-at-the-same-time-as-its-coronavirus-outbreak-is-peaking/articleshow/75826920.cms">India is about to get hit by a super cyclone at the same time as its coronavirus outbreak is peaking</a>

Devastating pictures of Cyclone Amphan that killed at least 14 in West Bengal and Odisha including a 7 year old

Kolkata, May 4 () Expressing concern over the"ongoing agitation over ration supply" and the COVID-19situation in Bengal, the BJP state unit on Monday wrote toChief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying people could havebenefited from central schemes, had she not rejected them.In his letter to Banerjee, which was released to thepress, state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said the government wasdepriving people of the benefits of two central projects PMKisan and Ayushman Bharat Yojana -- "owing to narrow politicalconsiderations"."It is a matter of concern that people are agitatingin East Midnapore, Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas over poorquality of grains and inadequate supply. Over 70 lakh farmerswould get help from the (Centre's) allocation of Rs 4,200crore under the PM-Kisan scheme, if the state opts for it."At the same time, Rs 2,714 crore allotted as incomesupport under Krishak Bandhu scheme for the year 2020-21should also be utilised," the letter said.Ghosh urged the state government to provide afinancial aid of Rs 1,000 to every poor household and makearrangements for doorstep delivery of ration.He demanded free COVID-19 treatment for the poor.The state can provide free treatment to theunderprivileged without burdening its exchequer if it signs upfor the Centre's Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Ghosh noted.The BJP MP said the government should procure 100 percent grains from the farmers and provide them an incentiveover and above the minimum support price for wheat and rice.Ghosh, during the press meet, pointed out that 12hospitals in the state have either been closed partially orcompletely as frontline health workers there were placed underquarantine."From medical practitioners to police, many have beenput in isolation. The healthcare system is under seriousstress. What is the state doing? They are only delaying tests.The ICMR and various other agencies have voiced concern overthe low testing rate in the state," he said.Bengal has reported an average of 232.25 tests permillion, far behind what the ratio is in most other states."Double the honorarium and salaries given tohealthcare workers, including nurses and Asha personnel, forthe next six months and provide them with adequate safetyequipment," the state BJP president said in the letter.Iterating that the state government is hiding actualfigures of COVID-19 death, Ghosh said "this is only worseningthe situation".The BJP MP further said that the government shouldtake measures to ensure that Bengal workers who have migratedto other states for work get to avail free of cost healthcare.He suggested that the government make arrangements tobring back people stuck outside state at the earliest, andnecessary precautions be taken to avoid contamination.The BJP leader also demanded that the audit committeeformed to certify the COVID-19 deaths be disbanded, allegingit was constituted to conceal the actual toll."We have requested the Union Health Ministry to sendanother central team to assess the situation. We hope that thestate, in the interest of the people of Bengal, shallcooperate with the team," Ghosh said. SUSRMS RMS

Bengal depriving people of central scheme benefits despite COVID-19 crisis: Dilip Ghosh

(Eds: With additional details) Kolkata, Jun 16 () Bengalis are in for a pleasant surprise amid the COVID-19 gloom as fishermen, after a three-month hiatus, have exuded hope of a bumper yield of hilsa, known as "maacher rani" (queen of fish) in Bengal, given the dip in economic activities in the seas due to the lockdown. With the arrival of monsoon, many of them have already ventured out with their trawlers, trying their best to lay hands on the prized "silver crop" -- a nonpareil delicacy that can be savoured when fried, smoked or cooked in mustard sauce. "As there was near-zero commercial activity in the seas and rivers, and no industrial effluents were released into the waters during this three-month hiatus, fish breeding, which is common during this season, is bound to pick up pace. "Since June 14, several fishermen have set sail. The catch is expected to be higher this time compared to the last two years," Sunderban Development Minister Manturam Pakhira told on Tuesday. The Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal near Sunderbans in South 24 Parganas district and the confluence happens to be the breeding ground for hilsa, which moves upstream from the seas to the rivers around this time of the year. A matured fish spawns 10 to 12 lakh eggs, of which a small fraction hatches. Most of the 12,000 big trawlers in the Kakdwip belt of the district are expected to hit the seas over the next few days. "We can give you an approximate figure of the yield after 15 days. One thing is for sure, there was barely any vessel movement during the lockdown. It reduced water pollution and aquatic life remained largely undisturbed. So we are expecting a bumper hilsa yield," Pakhira said. General secretary of the Kakdwip Fishermen Association Bijan Maity said anything between 32,000 and 35,000 metric tonne would be considered a good catch. "Last year, the yield did not cross 12,000 metric tonne due to factors such as pollution and late arrival of the monsoon. We are positive that this year will be different. Amid the lockdown, works such as maintenance of trawlers and repair of fishing nets were put on hold. Hence, some fishermen are taking time to venture out," Maity said. Claiming that several "unscrupulous" fishermen flout the April-May ban on trawling to rake in more moolah, Maity said this year, however, not many could do that as strict restrictions were in place. Unlike the last two years, the fish will be bigger in size and probably tastier, he added. The oily fish, depending on the quality, is sold for anything between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,800 per kg. "Our catch is sold across Bengal and in other parts of the country. We are hopeful of tickling the taste buds of Bengalis amid the COVID-19 gloom," Maity said. Pakhira insisted that all fishermen have been told to wear masks and use hand sanitiser, especially when they sell their catch. Vice Chairman of the Digha-Sankarpur Development Authority Akhil Giri said trawlers have also set sail from East Midnapore district. "Fishermen had suffered losses last year. This year, they are expecting a good crop," he added. SUS RMS RC

In Bengal, hopes high for hilsa boom amid COVID-19 gloom

Extremely severe cyclone storm cyclone ‘Fani’ hit <keyword id="6357961" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="odisha">Odisha</keyword> earlier in the morning and is now moving northwards. The cyclone had moved close to north coastal Andhra before it made landfall in neighbouring Odisha. 12.30pm West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the state was prepared to combat the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani that is likely to affect six southern districts, while urging people to stay alert and not to panic. The cyclone made landfall on neighbouring Odisha's eastern coast on Friday morning. Despite extensive damage caused by near 200 kmph winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall, no loss of life has been reported so far. It is now located 418 km southwest of Kolkata and 364 Km, southwest of the East Midnapore district sea resort Digha. Six districts in Gangetic West Bengal likely to be affected are East and West Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Kolkata. 12.15pm As a precaution against cyclone 'Fani', the Indian Railway has cancelled 223 trains in the Bhadrak-Vizianagaram section, along the coastal lines of Odisha on the Kolkata-Chennai route till May 4, officials said. A senior Railway Ministry official told IANS: "140 Mail and Express trains and 83 passenger trains have been cancelled till May 4 afternoon on the Bhadrak-Vizianagaram section (along Odisha coastline) of Kolkata-Chennai route." He said that nine trains have been diverted and four trains have been short terminated. 12.00pm As per PIB, Cyclonic Storm 'Fani' lay centered at 10.30 Hours IST today. Puri reported maximum sustained wind speed of 142 Kmph gusting to 174 kmph as of 07.30 IST today. It is very likely to move north-north eastwards and weaken into a very severe cyclonic storm during next 3 hours. 11:46 a.m. West Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reportedly cancelled all her political rallies. "We are monitoring the situation 24x7 and doing all it takes. I appeal to all people to cooperate. Be alert, take care and stay safe for the next two days," she tweeted. 11:30 a.m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 11:02 a.m. In Andhra Pradesh, about 20,000 people have reportedly been shifted to 126 relief camps in Srikakulam district, where seven 'mandals' (blocks) are likely to be affected by the cyclone, IANS reported. The area is also under red alert asking people to take preventive measures. 10:55 a.m. Extremely severe cyclone storm cyclone ‘Fani’ hit Odisha earlier in the morning and is now moving northwards. The cyclone had moved close to north coastal Andhra before it made landfall in neighbouring Odisha. The cyclone “is very likely to move North-Northeastwards and further weaken into a “severe cyclonic storm”during the next six hours, the Indian Met Department has said. 10:40 a.m. The cyclone “is very likely to move North-Northeastwards and further weaken into a “severe cyclonic storm”during the next six hours, the Indian Met Department has said.

You Searched For "east midnapore" and got 5 results

'Hilsa' boom amid COVID-19 gloom in Bengal

PTI

Devastating pictures of Cyclone Amphan that killed at least 14 in West Bengal and Odisha including a 7 year old

BI India Bureau

Bengal depriving people of central scheme benefits despite COVID-19 crisis: Dilip Ghosh

PTI

In Bengal, hopes high for hilsa boom amid COVID-19 gloom

PTI

Cyclone Fani updates: Relief operations underway, 4,000 storm shelters set up in Odisha

BI India Bureau