Storm in West Bengal, Bihar, Assam leaves 110 dead

RAIGUNJ/KISHANGUNJ/GUWAHATI: At least 110 people were killed and over 200 injured when a storm packed with a windspeed 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.

While 39 people were killed in North Dinajpur, 67 died in five districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Purnia and Katihar in Bihar in the storm that hit at midnight last night.

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.

In neighbouring Kishenganj, Araria, Purnia, Supaul and Katihar districts, 67 people were killed and 125 injured, officials said.

Regional Met Centre Director G C Debnath said the storm was a severe nor'wester.

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.