Storms lash Bihar, West Bengal, killing 130
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Rescuers are searching for survivors after a powerful storm killed 130 people in India and Bangladesh. Many more are injured or trapped under rubble as around 100,000 houses were destroyed by winds of up to 160 kph
A sudden, violent tropical storm lashed east Bihar, parts of West Bengal and Assam, late Tuesday night, killing 130 people and rendering thousands homeless. Neighbouring Bangladesh reported at least seven casualties from the state of Rangpur.
This is the most violent storm in the area since Cyclone Aila struck eastern India and Bangladesh in May last year, killing more than 150 people. The worst hit area is the eastern Indian state of Bihar, with 77 deaths. The district of Purnia recorded the highest number of casualties (33), followed by Araria (33), Katihar (7) and two each in Kishanganj and Supaul. In West Bengal, 42 people died in the northeastern areas, while Assam reported five casualties in Dhubri district.
It is feared that the death toll could rise as reports from remote villages are still not available. Officials say medical and food supplies have been rushed to all areas including those cut off by collapsed phone lines.
Although the regional meteorological department gave no alert for a storm of this magnitude, rain or thunderstorms were forecast for the next 24 hours. “It was a tornado that struck the region, and no warnings are given for tornadoes,” said G C Debnath, director of the department’s weather section.
The storm lasted half-an-hour, devastating areas completely. Huts and shanties were crushed under trees uprooted by the fierce winds. As the storm struck late at night, several victims were asleep in their homes when their roofs caved in on them.
Although the exact number of people rendered homeless is yet to be ascertained, the authorities say the figure could run into the thousands as most people in these districts live in houses with asbestos roofs.
Several roads, including National Highway 34, are blocked by uprooted trees, impeding rescue operations. The snapping of power lines has resulting in a blackout in the affected areas. Officials say it will take around 72 hours to restore power to these areas.
“The storm also took its toll on the Kulik bird sanctuary (at Raiganj), but we are still assessing the extent of the damage. Fortunately, migratory birds have not yet come to the sanctuary, and no birds were killed,” Raiganj Divisional Forest Officer Asit Sen said.
An India Meteorological Department (IMD) project to install weather surveillance radars at several sites across the country, including Malda in Bengal, has been dogged by delays. The IMD was to have installed weather radars in 12 cities during the first phase of the modernisation project, approved in December 2007 and scheduled for completion by March 2010; only one radar has been installed in Delhi, and even that is yet to become operational.
IMD Director General Ajit Tyagi said that one of the reasons for the delay was that civil structures for the radars have not been completed by the public works departments. “In any case, Malda was to get a radar in the second phase -- over the next two years,” he added.
Meteorologists point out that even with advance warnings, the mechanisms to assess the possible impact of such thunderstorms and provide actionable warnings to the people are weak.
Source: The Hindu, April 15, 2010
The Telegraph, April 15, 2010