Jalpaiguri, Apr 1 (UNI): The death toll has risen to five while 200 were injured in a five-minute whirlwind storm in north Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district on Sunday afternoon, official sources said on Monday.
On Sunday night, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to Jalpaiguri after an unpredicted natural calamity in the poll-bound northern region of the state, taking stock and visiting the cyclone-affected people.
Storms on Sunday afternoon resulted in numerous deaths, including a woman, causing damage to houses and hundreds of injuries, many of whom have been admitted to hospitals.
The north-westerly storm swept through many villages spread across a few square kilometres at around 3.40 p.m. and ravaged properties for over 5 minutes, sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of human lives and said he had spoken with the officials and asked them to ensure proper assistance to those affected by the natural calamity.
“My thoughts are with those affected by the storms in the Jalpaiguri-Mainaguri areas of West Bengal. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones,” Modi wrote in a post on Sunday.
“I would also urge all @BJP4Bengal Karyakartas to assist those affected,” Modi assured.
