4 dead, 360+ in hospital as winds batter north Bengal for 5 minutes
Times of India | 1 April 2024
JALPAIGURI: At least four people were killed - crushed under falling trees - at two different places when a nor'wester, accompanied by a 'mini tornado', lashed Jalpaiguri for five minutes on Sunday afternoon.
Around 367 people had to be hospitalised for injuries, even as initial estimates said there was massive loss to property at Jalpaiguri Sadar and Maynaguri blocks.
Alipore Met office said the Maynaguri storm may have been a "mini tornado" that accompanied a nor'wester in the region. "It generated an estimated wind speed of around 60kmph to 70kmph, though the speed inside the system must have been much more," said Regional Meteorological Centre director GK Das. "Nor'westers are often accompanied by such mini tornadoes, which cause extensive destruction and loss of life. That seems to have happened in Jalpaiguri on Sunday."
The dead have been identified as Dwijendra Narayan Sarkar (52), Anima Roy (49), Jogen Roy (70) and Samar Roy (64). Nearly 200 people had to be admitted to the Maynaguri rural hospital, even as 167 had to be taken to Jalpaiguri Medical College Hospital.
Late on Sunday, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee left for Jalpaiguri to tour the affected areas.
"Affected people are being shifted to safer places. District administration will provide compensation to the next of kin of those who died, and to those injured," said Banerjee.
Banerjee indicated that damages could be extensive. "Sad to know that sudden heavy rainfall and stormy winds brought disaster in some areas of Jalpaiguri and Maynaguri, with loss of human life, injuries and damage to homes. I stand with the affected families," she said.
"I appeal to EC for immediate compensation to those affected," said Trinamool Congress' Jalpaiguri candidate Nirmal Chandra Roy.