Patna: At least 32 people were killed and more than 80 injured after a storm hit several Bihar districts on Tuesday night. The nor’wester destroyed thousands of huts and standing crops, officials said.
32 people dead, over 80 injured in late night storm in three Bihar districts,” Principal Secretary to Bihar Disaster Management Department Vyasji said. According to Vyasji, maximum number of 25 deaths was reported from Purnia district, while six died in Madhepura and one in Madhubani.
The storm hit Purnia, Madhepura, Saharsa, Madhubani, Samastipur, Darbhanga and Samastipur uprooting several thousand trees, damaging power lines and destroying thousands of huts and standing crops of maize, wheat and pulses.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday assured all help to the affected people. “I will personally take stock of the situation. I have instructed collector to make a list and mention the extent of crop damage,” Kumar announced in Bihar Assembly.
Road transport in the districts has been hit in the aftermath of the storm as many trees are lying uprooted, he said. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director in Patna, R K Giri, said the storm packed wind speed around 65 km per hour.
Such storms, he said, are common in this season and are called ‘Kal Baisakhi’ or ‘nor’westers’.The state government has launched relief and rescue operations in the affected districts.The government has also announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the kin of the victims.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will also conduct an aerial survey of the two districts.The incident took place in the night. I will personally take stock of situation in Purnia and Bhagalpur,” Nitish said.We are a ssessing the situation, all appropriate measures will be taken,” the CM added.
Bureau Report
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