• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Sun, 31 Mar 2024 11:03 PM (IST)
  • Source:ANI
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Jalpaiguri Storm: A "sudden" cyclonic storm wreaked havoc in parts of West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Sunday, leaving at least four people dead and more than 150 others injured, authorities informed.

Rain and hailstorms accompanying the storm caused damage to houses, buildings and crops, Jalpaiguri Superintendent of Police (SP) said. According to officials, Jalpaiguri town and neighbouring Mainaguri were among the areas affected by the storm.

West Bengal's ruling TMC said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was "urgently" leaving for Jalpaiguri to take stock of the situation and meet the cyclone-affected people. Mamata announced compensation for the victims of the natural calamity, adding that personnel of the civil administration, police and disaster management have been pressed into action for relief efforts.

Jalpaiguri Storm Top Developments

• At least four people have lost their lives, while more than 150 others have sustained injuries, authorities said.

• Rajarhat, Barnish, Bakali, Jorpakdi, Madhabdanga and Saptibari were among the most affected areas, officials cited by news agency PTI said. 

• West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has set up an emergency cell in the Kolkata Raj Bhavan to deal with the storm, his office said.

• The governor will visit Jalpaiguri on Monday, Raj Bhavan added.

• "The Governor is in touch with the Disaster Management Authority in Delhi. He requested the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) to rush more reinforcement by way of manpower and materials to Jalpaiguri. The Governor is also in touch with the Central Home Ministry," Raj Bhavan stated.

• "Sad to know that sudden heavy rainfall and stormy winds brought disasters today afternoon in some Jalpaiguri-Mainaguri areas, with loss of human lives, injuries, house damages, uprooting of trees and electricity poles etc," CM Mamata Banerjee posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The post added, "District and block administration, police, DMG and QRT teams swung into disaster management operations and provide relief. Affected people are being shifted to safer places." She further said, "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)."

• The Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal of Jalpaiguri Government Medical College put the number of hospital admissions due to the storm at 49. "So far, 49 patients have been admitted here and over 170 patients were reported in Emergency. We are doing everything possible for their treatment," he stated.