'Everything gone': People of Sundarbans stare at bleak future

Pronab Biswas, a resident of Kakdwip in Sundarbans, was happy that that his only son -- a migrant labourer -- had returned from Maharashtra last week and had planned to buy a dinghy to start a fishing business of his own.

But the 50-year-old's plans were blown away on Wednesday by Cyclone Amphan as their home and cattle got swept away and they lost all their lifelong savings.

Biswas, who had a family of six to feed, now plans to accompany his son back to Maharashtra in search of livelihood once the coronavirus lockdown is over.

"After (cyclone) Aila in 2009, I had moved to Nashik to work as a mason there," he said. "But as I was getting old, my son replaced me and started working there for the last four years."
"I had saved Rs 10,000 and had planned to start the fishing business of my own with my son once he returns," Biswas said. "But now everything is gone, my home, my savings, my cattle."