4 killed 70 others injured as storm wreaks havoc in Jalpaiguri, CM Mamata Banerjee reacts

 Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said personnel of the civil administration, police and disaster management have been deployed for the relief works. Among the most affected areas were Rajarhat, Barnish, Bakali, Jorpakdi, Madhabdanga, Putimari and Saptibari.

Anurag Roushan, IndiaTv, Jalpaiguri, Mar 31, 2024 :  Four persons were killed and at least 70 people injured as a storm wreaked havoc in parts of Jalpaiguri district in northern West Bengal on Sunday, officials said.

A storm unleashed havoc in parts of Jalpaiguri district in northern West Bengal on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and leaving at least 70 people injured. Strong winds caused extensive damage, including the destruction of several houses, uprooting of trees, and the toppling of electric poles in the district headquarters town and surrounding areas such as Mainaguri. Rajarhat, Barnish, Bakali, Jorpakdi, Madhabdanga, Putimari and Saptibari were among the hardest-hit areas, according to officials.

Rescue operation underway

The deceased were identified as Dijendra Narayan Sarkar (52) of Senpara, Anima Burman (45) of Paharpur, Jagen Roy (72) of Putimari and Samar Roy (64) of Rajarhat, they added. "A rescue operation is underway," a disaster management officer said. Dhupguri MLA Nirmal Chandra Roy told the media that several people were admitted to hospital with injuries.

#WATCH | Rain and hailstorms hit several parts of West Bengal's Jalpaiguri causing damage to houses, buildings and crops.

Four people have lost their lives and over 100 others are injured in the cyclone incident: Jalpaiguri SP pic.twitter.com/vPMPa8PYVO

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2024

"District administration will provide compensation to next of kin in the case of the deaths, and the injured as per rules and following the MCC (model code of conduct)," she added. Stating that she was with the affected families, Banerjee assured them that the administration would provide all sorts of assistance.

The West Bengal Chief Minister, expressing solidarity with the affected families, pledged that the administration would offer comprehensive assistance to them.

Several houses were damaged, trees uprooted and electric poles fell as strong winds devastated most parts of the district headquarters town and many areas of neighbouring Mainaguri, residents said.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has set up an emergency cell in the Raj Bhavan to deal with the storm in Jalpaiguri, Raj Bhavan Kolkata said in a press release. 

"The Governor is in touch with the Disaster Management Authority in Delhi. He requested the NDMA to rush more reinforcement by way of manpower and materials to Jalpaiguri. The Governor is also in touch with the Central Home Ministry. He will camp in Jalpaiguri tomorrow and visit ground zero and the houses of the victims," the post said. 

Dhupguri MLA Nirmal Chandra Roy told PTI that several people were admitted to hospital with injuries.

STORY | 4 killed as storm wreaks havoc in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri

READ: https://t.co/8APAOqngMm

VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/DGMV31UWgQ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 31, 2024