A 70-foot-tall Jagaddhatri Puja pandal in Kanailal Pally in Chandannagar, in Hooghly district collapsed Sunday, injuring at least seven people, as thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain lashed the region under the influence of severe cyclonic storm Montha, officials said.

The administration and local police rushed for rescue operations. State Minister Indranil Sen also visited the site.

“The incident prima facie took place due to strong wind. Seven were injured. However, everyone is safe,” said Chandannagar Police Commissioner Amit P Javalgi. Police said a case has been lodged against the organisers and probe ordered.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for several south and north Bengal districts for Wednesday due to the impact of cyclone Montha in the state.

Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at many places in south Bengal, with heavy downpours (7–11 cm) in South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram.

In addition, thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph and lightning are expected over Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Bankura, and North 24 Parganas districts.

In north Bengal, Malda, North and South Dinajpur, and Jalpaiguri districts are likely to experience thunderstorms and strong winds at isolated places.

“Avoid open fields, stay away from trees and electric poles during thunderstorms, and take shelter in safe places during heavy rainfall. Farmers should secure harvested crops, protect standing ones from waterlogging,” it said. Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough, and fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea.

(Anisha Ghosh is an intern at the Kolkata office of The Indian Express)