Rescue Operations On for Survivors of WB, Bihar Storm

Rescue operations are on for survivors after a strong storm sweeping West Bengal and Bihar over the last two days killed 130 people, reported BBC quoting officials.

Nearly 100,000 houses were hit by powerful winds blowing at the speed of 160 km/h and hundreds of people are reported to be injured or trapped in rubble, report said.

Telecommunication links were hit hard, with railway lines damaged and roads closed in West Bengal and Bihar.

Officials said that toll could soar up for several areas were yet cut off and phone lines were down, said report.

After storm hit overnight on Tuesday, medical and food supplies were instantly rushed to the area and temporary shelters were set up for those who lost their homes, report said quoting officials.

Bihar is worst hit by the storm with 76 persons having died so far. While nearly 42 died in West Bengal and five in Assam. Even in Bangladesh, seven persons were killed in Rangpur.

West Bengal’s civil defence and relief minister Srikumar Mukherji said that 50,000 houses were flattened by the storm in Uttar Dinajpur district alone.

“We have send 25,000 tarpaulin sheets to the district, so that people could use them to cover their rooftops which have been blown away,” Mukherji was quoted as saying.

The storm was followed by heavy rains that further added to the woes of villagers.