Bihar storm claims 44 lives: What is Nor'wester? Explained

Severe storm has taken lives of 44 people and left 800 affected in Bihar. The nature's fury has ravaged northeastern parts of the state. People are facing tough time as the storm has damaged crops and also affected electric supply.

Here is the whole issue in a nutshell.

Which of the districts are affected?

• North and northeastern parts of the state including Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, Madhepura, Supaul, Saharsa, Bhagalpur, Samastipur, Darbhanga and Madhubani.
• Maxium death has taken place in Purnia district
• Storm uprooted several thousand trees, damaging power lines and destroying thousands of huts and standing crops of maize, wheat and pulses.
• Road transport in many of the districts have also been affected
• This is not the first time that these districts are bearing brunt of the nature's fury. In the past, same districts were affected by floods in the Kosi river which comes almost every year.

All about the storm

• Narrating about the nightmare, R K Giri who is IMD Director in Patna said that the storm packed wind speed around 65 km per hour.
• He said that the storm descended from Nepal side hitting Purnia, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga and went deep inside the state up to Bhagalpur.
• According to him and other experts, such storms are common in this season and are called 'Kal Baisakhi' or 'nor'westers'.

What Nitish government has done till now

• The State government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the persons dead in the storm.
  
• Reiterating his support to the affected families, Nitish Kumar has asked officials to quicken the process of disbursal.
  
• Reportedly he will soon visit affected districts personally to asses the devastation caused by the heavy storm.
• While speaking on the issue in State Assembly, Kumar said, "Huge loss of property and human lives has taken place due to the storm. All the concerned officials of the affected districts have been asked to do a survey and also submit a report on the natural disaster".

When PM Modi extended helping hand to Bihar Govt

• Prime Minister who is known for his prompt approach on such matter, spoke to Nitish Kumar.
• Modi told Kumar that Centre will help the State government in all possible way
• Modi tweeted, "Spoke to Bihar CM @NitishKumarJDU ji on situation arising due to storms in various parts of the state. Assured all assistance from Centre".
• Modi also said that the Home Minister Rajnath Singh will soon visit the state to take stock of the situation
• Showing solidarity in this tough time, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also tweeted, "May god give strength to grief-stricken families of several Bihar districts to sustain loss of life caused by heavy storm. I stand by them."