Storm kills 20 in Bihar, lakhs affected

A powerful storm accompanied with rain killed at least 20 people and damaged over 6,000 houses in Bihar, officials said today.

Officials said the overnight storm caused extensive damage to three eastern Bihar districts with Araria being the worst affected.

Officials said the storm killed at least 12 people in Araria, six in Purnia and two in Supaul districts. More than a hundred cattle were also killed in the storm.

“We are rushing relief to the affected villagers” Bihar’s disaster managment’s principal secretary Vyasji said.

Officials said the storm also damaged a portion of walls of Kishenganj district jail, forcing the authorities to shift the prisoners to neighbouring Purnia jail.