Storm kills 34, renders thousands homeless in Bihar

PATNA - At least 34 people were killed and thousands rendered homeless in Bihar Wednesday when a massive storm lashed at Purnia, Araria and Kishanganj districts on the border with West Bengal.

The maximum casualties were in Purnia where 21 people were killed. The toll in Araria and Kishanganj was 11 and two respectively. The storm, which also hit West Bengal, caused damage to crops, cattle and property in Bihar.

“A storm with high wind velocity hit the entire Seemanchal region, including Araria, Purnia and Kishanganj, and badly disturbed normal life,” Vayasji, principal secretary in the disaster management department, told IANS.

“Thousands of people have been rendered homeless and many thatched houses destroyed,” he said.

The storm left crops and houses damaged in Purnia and Kishanganj.

In Araria, hundreds of houses were destroyed or severely damaged by the storm and lightning. “All victims were from Forbesganj area,” an official said.

Araria District Superintendent of Police S.S. Thakur said an old wall of Araria jail collapsed following which “police decided to shift 650 inmates to Purnia jail”.

Unconfirmed reports said dozens of head of cattle were killed.

The state government has announced Rs.1.5 lakh compensation for the kin of those killed. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said all possible help will be given to affected people. “I have asked district officials to provide relief to affected people soon,” he said.

Official sources in the chief minister’s office said Kumar would visit Purnia and Araria Wednesday evening to assess the situation.

The same storm also left 31 people dead in West Bengal Wednesday.