STROM! STORM!

Storm havoc in Cooch Behar, 1 killed

The devastating storm that swept almost all areas of Cooch Behar district last night claimed one life and damaged about 1,500 dwellings.

During the storm a man identified as Nagarbasi Ghosh (32) struck by lightning at Chilakhana in Tufanganj, police said.

In another incident, fire broke out from an oven of a village kitchen during the storm at Baro-Halongimari of Patchhara under Kotowali police station. Six dwellings gutted in the blaze. Five cattle also killed in the incident.

At Baraibari of Mathabhanga-II block, the storm damaged several houses and three cattle died under the damaged dwellings.

In Cooch Behar town corrugated iron-sheet roof of Karunamoyee High School was flown away by the storm.

As many electricity poles and trees were uprooted the power supply broke down since yesterday night. Power supply restored in the town this afternoon.

Crop damage is also a major upshot of the storm. Jute and Boro paddy cultivation suffered a great loss. The actual volume of loss is yet to be ascertained.    

Cooch Behar district administration instructed all block development officers to survey the situation and submit reports on estimated loss of crops and dwellings by tomorrow. Reviewing the reports relief measures would be taken for the affected persons, a senior official in Cooch Behar said.