Bengal storm toll rises to 116, 250,000 homeless

KOLKATA - A tropical storm that is raging across coastal West Bengal has left 166 people dead and 250,000 people homeless so far.

According to a Bangkok Post report, winds have been raging at more than 120 kilometres an hour, and have also ravaged isolated areas of northeast India and Bangladesh since Tuesday.

“Rescuers are racing against time to reach the displaced people, but roads blocked with uprooted trees have delayed their movements,” said West Bengal minister of state for civil defence, Srikumar Mukherjee, was quoted, as saying.

He said the storm had killed thousands of cattle and ruined summer crops in the North Dinajpur district.

Officials in the affected states of West Bengal, Bihar and Assam said a total of 114 people had been killed. Two others were reported dead in Bangladesh, including a police officer.

In Rampur village, 200 miles (320 kilometres) north of state capital Kolkata, the roofs of every house had collapsed or been blown away. Hundreds of stranded people were taking shelter in school and temple premises.

Medicines and food is in short supply, other media reports said.

In Bihar, at least 77 persons are said to have died. State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar undertook an aerial tour of the disaster area on Wednesday to assess the damage.

So far, an estimated 40,000 homes have been destroyed in Purnia, Araria and Kishanganj districts.

In Bihar, the families of those killed have been offered compensation of 150,000 rupees. (ANI)