Despite cyclone fear, migrant workers head home for puja

CHENNAI: Panic gripped Odisha and Andhra Pradesh as Super Cyclone Phailin intensified on Friday night. But migrant workers from Chennai, keen to be with their families for Durga Puja, are ready to brave the cyclone.
Chennai Central was packed with workers waiting to take trains to Odisha and West Bengal on Friday night.
The cyclone over east central Bay of Bengal is heading towards the Odisha coast with wind speeds of up to 220kmph, according to the Met office.Experts predicted that wind speeds are likely to top 300kmph when it makes landfall between Kalingapatnam in the northern coast of Andhra Pradesh and Paradip in Odisha on Saturday evening.
The railways has not so far delayed or cancelled any trains heading along the east coast from Chennai but has stopped all passenger trains within Odisha.
Workers usually travel to their home states at this time of the year for Durga Puja and Diwali. Several workers from West Bengal who were ready to board trains on Sunday say they plan a month-long holiday. The ferocity of the cyclone could not dampen the festive spirit.
Asra, 50, said he is aware of the cyclone but it would not stop him from spending Puja at home in Howrah. “I know the cyclone is going to hit Odisha and that might delay the journey, but that is not going to stop me,” he said.
But the cyclone warnings did worry a few workers. Suresh, a 33-year-old construction worker, said his fear was that his family of six would be alone in Bhubaneswar when the cyclone strikes. “I am going back to support my family.” he said.