Woman gives birth in fire service vehicle amid Cyclone Amphan

Guwahati: A 20-year-old woman — Janaki Sethi of Kendrapara in Odisha — gave birth to a girl on her way to a CHC Mahakalpara hospital in a fire service vehicle amid Cyclone Amphan on Wednesday.

When the cyclone passed over the coastal regions of Odisha, the woman went into labour pain. The family then contacted the ambulance service but the ambulance could not make it due to the road blockade caused by fallen trees due to the cyclone.

Two fire service teams wasted no time to get to the woman. After receiving the information, they rushed to the spot after clearing 22 fallen trees on the roads despite the torrential rain and strong winds.

While on the way to the hospital, Sethi gave birth inside the fire service vehicle. The team did the best of their abilities to assist the new-born and the mother until they reached CHC Mahakalpara hospital for further treatment.

The Odisha state government, giving the highest priority (amid Cyclone Amphan and COVID-19 pandemic) to the safety of pregnant women, shifted 1,600 women to various hospitals in the eight coastal and adjoining districts.