120 dead in storm in West Bengal, Bihar, Assam

KISHANGUNJ/RAIGUNJ/GUWAHATI: A severe nor'wester packed with a wind speed of 125 kmph left 120 people dead, hundreds injured and a swathe of destruction in seven districts of Bihar, West Bengal 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.

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.

West Bengal government said Rs 2 lakh would be paid to next of kin of each of those who were killed in North Dinajpur.