Toll in Bihar storm rises to 81

PATNA - The death toll from a violent storm that ravaged the eastern part of Bihar rose to 81 Thursday, a day after it left a trail of destruction rendering thousands homeless.

The high-velocity storm ravaged the Seemanchal region including the districts of Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj, Katihar and Supaul districts.

The number of dead has gone up to 81, Principal Secretary (Disaster Management Department) Vayasji told IANS here.

The storm destroyed thousands of houses, snapped power and communication lines, uprooted hundreds of trees and killed a large number of cattle.

According to the disaster management department, 39 people were killed in Purnia, 33 in Araria, seven in Katihar and one each in Kishanganj and Supaul districts. Unconfirmed reports put the toll at 96.

On Thursday, victims of the storm complained that the state government had not been prompt in providing them relief.

“We are hungry, our children are crying for food, the officials are yet to provide us any relief,” Naushad Alam from Tetri Badi village in Purnia, some 400 km from Patna, told IANS over a still functioning telephone line.

However, Principal Secretary Vayasji told IANS that the government began distribution of relief Wednesday itself. The relief efforts would speed up Thursday, he said.

“We are monitoring so that relief reaches the affected as soon as possible,” he said.

The state government has announced Rs.1.5 lakh compensation for the next of kin of those killed.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who conducted an aerial survey of affected areas Wednesday, said that storm victims would be compensated on the norms of relief applicable during floods and other natural calamities.