Thunderstorms lash South Bengal, 4 killed across state

Kolkata: Rains accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning lashed various South Bengal districts early on Monday morning, killing four persons in separate incidents.

A thundershower coupled with a strong wind and lightning hit the city and districts like North 24-Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, South 24-Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata, East Burdwan and West Midnapore, disrupting normal life.

Two persons including a 16-year-old girl were killed after being struck by lightning. Mallika Nashkar (16), a student from Baruipur in South 24-Parganas was out on the street on Monday morning, when lightning struck her.

In a similar incident, Habibul Seikh (50), a resident of Keshpur in West Midnapore, was also struck by lightning. He was declared brought dead after being taken to a nearby hospital in the morning.

Meanwhile, another victim identified as Abhisek Ponda (21) died after the boat he was travelling in capsized in Matla river in Sunderbans' Jharkhali. Ponda, a resident of West Midnapore, had gone to Sunderbans along with his friends.

Pradip Tantubai (42), a resident of Borogram area in Purulia died when a wooden structure set up on the roof of his house collapsed. The incident occurred on late Sunday night, when a strong wind was blowing. Tantubai, who received critical injuries in his head, was declared brought dead at Deben Mahato Sadar Hospital in Purulia.

Traffic movement in various stretches of the city was disrupted on Monday, following the felling of trees. The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore on Monday predicted that thundershowers accompanied by strong breeze are likely to continue till Wednesday. The situation will improve from Thursday.

Various parts of the city received hailstorm on Sunday night. Many had woken up due to the rattling sound of the hailstorm. The rain, however, brought relief to the people suffering from the hot and humid condition prevailing in the state for the last few days.

The districts that have received the maximum rainfall and thunderstorm are North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly.

According to the weather office, various North Bengal districts will witness heavy rainfall on Tuesday, due to impact of the Western disturbances. The state government has already issued an alert asking the fishermen not to voyage into the sea in the next two days and those who have already sailed have been asked to return to shore.

"The city and various South Bengal districts will receive moderate rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday. A strong wind measuring around 45-50 km/h will be sweeping through the South Bengal districts. The situation will improve from Thursday," said Sanjib Bandyopadhyay, deputy director general, India Meteorological Department, Calcutta.