Storm claims 13 lives: 13,500 houses destroyed in Bengal

Kolkata, Sep 20 (UNI) At least thirteen people, including three women were killed in wall collapse and 13,500 houses destroyed in storm in different districts of West Bengal.

Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta told newspersons here today that 12 people were killed and 7,000 thatched huts damaged in South 24 Parganas, while one person died and 6,500 kachcha houses were destroyed in East Midnapore district in the storm, which hit the area around midnight last night.

He said ten blocks had been affected in South 24 Parganas district where as nine blocks had been affected in East Midnapore district.

Mr Dasgupta informed that the Government had sanctioned Rs four crore for relief to the affected areas, while Rs 4000 would be given to those whose houses had been fully damaged and Rs 2000 to the partially affected people.

He said a high level meeting was held to review the situation.

Meanwhile, in East Midnapore district one woman was killed in wall collapse at Nandigram, Superintendent of Police (East Midnapore) Ashoke Datta said.

Another fisherman was reportedly missing from Rupnarayan river after his boat capsized. Four other fishermen in the boat swam ashore safely.

The administration had also informed the fishermen at Digha not to venture in the sea today. Some 80 boats, which had ventured into the sea, had been alerted of the stormy weather and asked to return as early as possible.

UNI KDG KK SP HT1905