120 killed in violent storm
Bihar, West Bengal announce aid
PTI
RAIGUNJ/GUWAHATI, APRIL 14
At least 120 people were killed and over 200 injured when a storm packed with a wind-speed of 125 kmph raged for 40 minutes leaving a trail of destruction in North Dinajpur district in West Bengal and neighbouring districts of Bihar and Assam.
Bihar accounted for the highest number of 77 deaths in five districts, followed by West Bengal with 39 in one district and Assam where four persons perished in one district in the storm that struck at midnight last night.
The fatalities in Bihar occurred in Purnia (33), Araria (33), Katihar (7), Supaul (2) and Kishenganj (2) districts.
In West Bengal, all 39 deaths were reported from in North Dinajpur district while in Assam four died in Dhubri district.
Four persons were killed in Mankachar under Dhubri district while the nor’wester also affected Jorhat, Tinsukia, Sibsagar and Kamrup districts in Assam.
The toll could be much higher, the authorities said.
Hundreds of dwellings collapsed like a house of cards and people cried out for help as the storm created havoc in many areas.
“It was like a cyclone with people shouting Cyclone Aila, which hit West Bengal last year. We prayed for early end of nature’s fury,” Sudan Sahay, a resident of Araria, said.
North Dinajpur District Magistrate Ramanuj Chakraborty said 17 people died in Karandighi block, six in Goalpokhor block, seven in Raiganj, while Chakulia and Hemtabad blocks accounted for three deaths each. Two others died in Kaliaganj and one person in Itahar.
Regional Met Centre Director G C Debnath said the storm was a severe nor’easter.
West Bengal Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakraborty, who put the toll at 32, told reporters in Kolkata that the Centre has offered help to the state government.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1.50 lakh to next of kin of each of the deceased, besides ordering construction of pucca houses under the Indira Awas Yojana and foodgrains.
Chakraborty said in Kolkata that Rs five lakh was disbursed from the Calamity Relief Fund for the affected people.
He said that he contacted the cabinet secretary and apprised him of the devastation. The Centre is willing to extend all possible assistance to the state, he said.
Tin and thatched roofs were wrenched off and hurled at a distance in villages lining both sides of the National Highway-34 in North Dinajpur, West Bengal Civil Defence minister Sreekumar Mukherjee said.
Bamboo groves in an area of over 500 sq ft. area in one village was completely uprooted as the storm ripped through Kaliaganj, Raiganj, Karandighi and Hemtabad blocks in North Dinajpur, Mukherjee said.
The storm, which was accompanied by rain, uprooted thousands of trees and left telephone and electric poles twisted, he said.
The chief secretary said that the storm caused widespread damage and levelled 50,000-60,000 dwelling units totally and a few partially.
Chakraborty said orders were issued to release 1,000 tonnes of rice, dry food, tarpaulin sheets, dhotis, saris and children’s garments for the affected villages.
Drinking water was also being sent, while five medical teams left for the spot.
