5 Killed, 300 Injured as Sudden Thunderstorm Hits Parts of West Bengal

Kolkata: Five persons lost their lives and around 300 others were injured when a sudden thunderstorm hit parts of West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district on Sunday.

An ensuing hailstorm coupled with the storm also damaged at least 800 houses. Several trees and electric poles were upooted in the storm-hit regions of Jalpaiguri and neighbouring Mainaguri.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to Jalpaiguri on Sunday night to take stock of the situation. She visited the Jalpaiguri Super Specialty Hospital to meet the injured people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the loss of lives in the storm.

According to the eyewitnesses, the storm lasted for about 10 minutes.

Strong winds accompanied by hail struck most parts of the Jalpaiguri headquarters town and many areas of neighbouring Mainaguri on Sunday. Several acres of agricultural land and crops suffered damage.