Nor'easter grips Siliguri- killed houses damaged

SNS, Siliguri 2 May: Siliguri was badly hit by the recent nor'easter which claimed one life and damaged several houses. Normal life came to a halt in Siliguri sub division as several trees were uprooted and fell on the roads which eventually led to the power lines getting snapped and turning the area dark.

N D Prasad, a resident of Bihar, who was a worker in a salon at New Jalpaiguri area in Siliguri, died yesterday.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that he died due to a heart attack during the lightening: however, the actual cause of the death could not be confirmed officially.

The administration officials said Naxalbari block was affected very badly in the sub division.

Tin roofing sheets flew away from the houses, cattle sheds and crops have been damaged Hatighisha. Falling trees also damaged two or three houses in Naxalbari block. Official reports said around 60- 70 families have been affected due to the cyclone. The administration is providing tarpaulin sheets and other relief items to the victim families to help them cope with the circumstances.

The Siliguri Sub Divisional officer Panicker Harishanker said they were assessing the situation.

The officials of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) said overhead wires were damaged over many areas.

"Services were disrupted as the trees fell on the overhead wires inmost places. The WBSEDCL employees have been pressed into service.

"Power was later restored in most of the areas after afew hours last evening. In some areas, electric poles were either bent or uprooted," said the zonal manager of WBSEDCL, North Bengal, Kollol Kanti Das.

A strong wind that was reported yesterday evening in the foothills of Kurseong, has affected normal life in and around Simulbarie tea estate. It blew away several roofs of houses, fell electric poles and uprooted trees. however, no report of any casualties.

Meanwhile, the MLA from Kurseong, Mr Rohit Sharma and the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha woman leader from Terai region, Mrs Tshering Dahal visited the affected areas and took stock of the situation. Mrs Dahal said that as representative of the GJMM, she visited the affected areas and took stock of the situation. Mom than 15 houses have been partially damaged and two houses were fully dam aged in the storm.

She further added that the matter has already been informed to their senior leaders, including the Kurseong MLA. On the other hand, Mr Sharma said he has informed the Kurseong BDO and has also distributed tarpaulin sheets and other forms of assistance to those affected by the storm.

He added that the exact extent of damage caused can not be judged. Only the BDO can estimate the loss after inspection of the areas.