Gale winds at 60kmph and pounding hailstones flattened more than a dozen illumination models at the landmark Jubilee Park that was getting ready for the March 3 Founder’s Day celebrations.

The damage is so extensive that Jusco, the Tata Steel’s civic utility arm that looks after the green lung, has sent an SOS to all its private contractors seeking additional workforce to win a tough race against time.

The illumination at Jubilee Park is inaugurated on March 2 every year on the eve of pioneering industrialist JN Tata’s birth anniversary. This year, the celebrations are extra special because they are expected to map the 100-year journey of a nondescript village called Sakchi into a cosmopolitan city that Jamshedpur is today.

A flattened welcome gate at Jubilee Park in Jamshedpur on Monday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

According to officials in the electrical wing of Jusco, 100-plus light artists from Chandernagore, Bengal, along with an equal number of local workers, are giving shape to 40 LED models, commemorating the city’s marvellous transformation, besides paying a tribute to the country’s historical monuments.

“As many as 25 models were ready, but after the storm barely 10 are standing on their feet. The gusty winds uprooted trees and snapped cables. At least 15 of the LED models have been damaged, some completely flattened,” said a Jusco official.

On the condition of anonymity, he admitted that they had sought help from private contractors.

“We took stock of the damage early (Monday) morning. We need more trained people who will work 24/7 to reinstate the models. Felled trees were cleared by afternoon. Now, light artists need to do a miracle,” he said.

A trial run for the illumination is scheduled for March 1 evening and Jusco is keeping its fingers crossed, especially with weathermen warning of more rain and thunderstorm activities in the next 48 hours.

Jusco spokesperson Rajesh Rajan conceded the damage, but promised to overcome the setback. “Bad weather has put a spanner in our works. But, we are confident of fixing the problem. Manpower is being doubled,” he said.

Footfall at the 500-acre Jubilee Park stood at 2.5 lakh on March 3 last year. The authorities are expecting the crowd count to increase given the 100-year theme and two giant LED screens that will unveil the momentous journey.