Storm kills two in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 4: Two persons died in a devastating storm that blew through the district last night. The storm also played havoc with the mango crop.While a woman Archana Mahaladar (36) died buried in the debris of her house that was destroyed by the storm at Harishchandrapur-II village, a watchman Dhamai Das Mandal, who was sleeping in a boat at Gazole drowned after the boat capsised in the storm.The storm along with hail also damaged the mango crop in the northern part of. According to mango farmers, the mango flowers in full bloom have been stunted, which would affect production of the fruit. Mango cultivation has also been affected at Ratua, Manikchak, Gazole, Kaliachak and other areas due to the storm. According to the mango development officer in Malda, 85 per cent of the mango orchard in the district was in full bloom. The MDO Mr S N Khara said: “Only a proper survey can assess the extent of the damage.”Power supply in most parts of the district also remains disrupted since last night due to the storm, which uprooted some poles as well.