West Bengal storm toll is 43, victims protest

KOLKATA - The death toll from a violent storm that ravaged parts of West Bengal rose to 43 Thursday, and officials said more than 200 people remained in hospitals after suffering multiple injuries.

The northern region of the state was hit by the 30-minute storm that has been likened to a tornado. It flattened more than 100,000 houses and tossed up people, cars and cattle.

Hundreds of thousands of people were affected, mainly in five blocks of North Dinajpur district as well as Jalpaiguri.

Four Dinajpur blocks - Karandighi, Raigang, Kaliaganj, and Hemtabad - were severely affected, according to district officials.

Officials struggled to reach emergency medicines, dry food, milk powder, tarpauline sheets and clothes and blankets to the affected areas.

There were reports of the storm victims staging demonstrations at several places complaining of inadequate or no relief.

The worst-affected Karandighi block, which recorded 18 deaths, seemed largely in ruins. The normally bustling town of Dalkhola bore devastation marks every few meters, with fallen trees and hundreds of razed houses.

Residents said hospitals were conducting emergency treatment under candlelight, with power supply yet to be restored.

Minister for Tourism Manab Mukherjee, sent to the district to take stock of the situation, met officials and toured some of the worst hit areas.

“There is some problem in reaching relief,” he admitted.

Except in one area, all other roads have been cleared for traffic, he said. The government has announced a compensation of Rs.2 lakh to each of the victims’ families.

“Those whose houses have been fully destroyed would get Rs.10,000. Those whose houses have been partially damaged will get Rs.2,500,” he said.

The storm, with a wind speed of 120 km per hour, broke out at about 10.30 p.m. Tuesday.