Eight dead as squall hits city

Kolkata, Apr 24 (UNI) At least eight people died and nine were left injured as a squall hit the city and its suburbs here this evening, leaving a trail of devastation in its path.

The squall hit the city at about 1900 hrs with a speed of around 60 km per hour. It was accompanied by heavy shower that left the city cooler, but certainly in disarray.

According to official sources, two people died in Barasat when a mehegony tree fell on a vehicle near the administrative building.

The two trapped inside died on the spot.

In another incident, a boy died when a house collapsed in Chetla in South Kolkata. At least four people were injured in the incident.

In Behala, a youth died when he was electrocuted after an overhead wire snapped.

In Howrah district's Jagadballabhpur areas, two people died when a tree was uprooted. They had taken shelter under the tree.

Two people in the same family were killed and five people injured when they were struck by a lightning in Durgapur in Bardhaman district.

Meanwhile, transportation in the city received a heavy jolt as trees were uprooted at several thoroughfares blocking traffic for hours. Snapping of overhead wires of Trams left the services temporarily suspended.

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