Bihar storm destroys crop, leaves farmers shattered

Patna, April 23: The tropical storm that ripped through Bihar has left farmers in the state distraught and helpless.

Repairing their houses that were destroyed by the storm, villagers in Purnia district said everything shattered for them within 45 minutes.

"I have never seen this kind of destruction in 75 years. I had taken a loan to do farming but everything is destroyed now," said Pankaj Yadav, a farmer in Purnia district's Harkheli village.

He said it was a double whammy for the farmers as the storm ruined their food and fruit crops.

The effect of rain and storm was felt the most in Adhkheli village where the maximum number of deaths took place.

The effect of rain and storm was felt the most in Adhkheli village

For Mohhamed Ashfaq from Harkheli village the storm was no less than a calamity. He lost his son and daughter when they were buried under the debris of his mud house, which was struck by strong winds.

"This storm took away everything," an emotional Ashfaq said.

According to disaster management authorities, as many as 25,000 houses were damaged by the storm that hit late on Tuesday in Madhepura, Purnia, Saharsa, Supaul, Katihar, Kishanganj, Darbhanga and Madhubani districts.

At least 44 people were killed and around 100 injured in the tropical storm.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs.4 lakh each to the families of those killed.

IANS