Kishangunj: 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 on Tuesday.
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.
Centre offers help
The Centre has offered its help
to the West Bengal government in tackling the devastation
caused by the severe nor'wester in four blocks of North
Dinajpur district.
"I contacted the cabinet secretary to brief him. The
Centre has enquired about the devastation. The Centre is
willing to assist the state government," Chief Secretary Asok
Mohan Chakraborty told reporters at Writers' Buildings.
Stating that the storm left 32 dead in four blocks of
the district and many injured last night, Chakraborty said
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had instructed
arrangement of immediate medical facilities for the injured
and shelter for the hundreds rendered homeless.
He said that Rs five lakh was disbursed from the
Calamity Relief Fund for the affected people.
Orders were also issued to release 1,000 tonne 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 were sent to the spot.
Some of the seriously injured people were admitted to
the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri.
Small Scale Industries Minister Manab Mukherjee and
Disaster Management Secretary M L Meena also left for the
affected areas.
The chief secretary said that the storm caused
widespread damage and levelled 50,000-60,000 dwelling units
totally and a few partially.
-PTI
First Published: Wednesday, April 14, 2010, 23:56