Seven killed as nor'wester lashes Rangpur, Gaibandha

At least five people were killed and some 100 others injured as a severe nor'wester lashed eight upazilas of Rangpur district Sunday night.

Police control room said all five were killed on the spot at about 9:00pm when a big tree collapsed on the roof of a kitchen market at Baluyahat in Pirganj upazila where people had taken shelter to escape the violent storm.

The deceased are Shaju, 30, Abu Bakr, 35, Bimol, 40, Dulal, 35, and a 70-year old unidentified man.

Eyewitnesses said seven injured victims were rescued from inside the damaged structure and admitted to Pirganj Upazila Health Centre while 20 others were rushed to Pirgachha Health Complex.

A number of injured also underwent treatment at the Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH), local clinics and different health centres, police said.

The 30-minute storm that razed houses and uprooted trees also caused substantial damage to standing boro, jute and maize crops.

Power supply and telephone connection were also disrupted all over the district.

Local met office said the storm swept over the district with a velocity of around 100km per hour.

Our Correspondent from Gaibandha adds: Two persons were killed and 31 others injured when a high velocity nor'wester battered Gaibandha district Sunday night.

Most affected upazilas are Gaibandha sadar, Sadullapur, Palashbari and Gobindaganj where about 1200 dwelling houses were razed to the ground and many fruit bearing trees and electric poles uprooted.

One Bimal Sarker, 42, of village Gopalpur under Sadullapur Upazila and a child of one Abdul Matin of village Kishoregari under Palashbari Upazila died when houses collapsed. Besides, 31 others sustained injuries. Power supply remained snapped for 18 hours.