Storm kills 17 people in Bihar

PATNA - A powerful storm hit parts of Bihar Friday killing at least 17 people, destroying property and rendering hundreds homeless, officials said.

A storm with high wind velocity and heavy rains hit several districts including Kaimur, Rohtas, Gaya, Nalanda, Khagaria, Patna, Aurangabad and Jehanabad and badly disturbed normal life, Principal Secretary (disaster management department) Vayasji said.

At least 11 people, including three children of a private school, were killed in Kaimur, which was worst hit by the storm, officials said.

Three people were killed in Nalanda, while One person each was killed in Khagaria, Rohtas, and Gaya.

“Hundreds of houses were destroyed or badly damaged by the storm,” Vayasji said.

Unconfirmed reports said dozens of cattle were killed.

Last month a massive storm had hit eastern Bihar districts - Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj and Supaul - killing 82 people and damaging 100,000 houses.