Yaas Cyclone in Orissa and Bengal - IT Business Members Speak

The much awaited Yaas Cyclone has passed through the coastal areas of Orissa and West Bengal and after ravaging the Western Orissa, will cross over to Jharkhand around midnight. In Orissa, around 3 lakhs were reportedly relocated, while in WB, around 12 lakhs were relocated in the prevention measures taken by the two governments. Indian army and Air Force was out in the rescue operations. Water was flooded inside shops and homes along the coasts in the 2 states. The Haldia Bridge collapsed under the forceful wind of the Yaas Cyclone. A few people are reportedly killed in the cyclone in WB.  There is a high alert issued for Jharkhand.

In this situation, DQ Channels asked some IT business owners in Orissa and West Bengal how they are faring during the Yaas Cyclone. They shared that because of the cyclone, communication networks have stopped and it is difficult for them to get supplies. Further, in the aftermath of the cyclone, the situation may get worse.

Anup Kumar Agarwal, MD, Nexgen Communication, Sambalpur said, "Most of our products come from Bhubaneshwar where the cyclone impact is more than Sambalpur where I am located. Because of this, we haven’t been able to receive our products. We don’t know when we could receive these products. It all depends on the mitigation and the lockdown. But I would say the cyclone impact has been less than the lockdown impact."

"We already had issues with the distribution. We are hoping for the unlock on 1st June to happen without delay. Any further delay would cause us more issues."

– Anup Kumar Agarwal, MD, Nexgen Communication, Sambalpur 

K L Lalani, MD, Lalani Infotech, Kolkata said, "Any impact or effect because of the cyclone on my business is very less than the lockdown itself, which has created a bigger challenge. We have requested the Bengal government to add IT as essential services as we have many of our customers asking for help in repairing and more."

"The cyclone impact was greater in the interior coastal lines and we would not be able to do business with them for at least 3 months because of Corona and the cyclone. Also, what help they want is shelter and food now. The Cyclone impact in the city is not much."

– K L Lalani, Lalani Infotech, Kolkata 

Talking to these IT businessmen, it is clear that Orissa and West Bengal are already ravaged by the 2nd wave of Corona and lockdown, which has caused many losses to the IT business community. On top of it, the breakdown of communication, loss of property and other kinds of mishaps brought by the cyclone has further accentuated their miseries.

The government should take into account the plight of IT business leaders in the far-flung areas and should devise policies and methods to uplift their situation.

Also read on Corona related article - click here.

By Dr Archana Verma & Ayshwaria Lakshmi