Statesman News Service
MALDA, May 4: The nor’wester that blew through Malda yesterday, not only killed seven people but also, heavily damaged the mango crop in three blocks of the district.
According to the mango development officer in Malda Mr SN Khara, 50 per cent of the mango crop was damaged in the storm.
The severe storm damaged several dwellings, causing a number of house collapses. Seven persons died in the nor'wester across the district. The block development officers have been asked to prepare reports of house damage, particularly in the Manikchak, Kaliachak II and English Bazaar blocks. “The final picture is yet to be pieced together,” said the Malda SDO Mr Prakash Pal.
Already suffering from a lack of rain, mango farming has been hit hard in the district this year. The storm and damage to whatever crop was left has compounded the problem for the mango farmers.
“The district hardly received any rain in March and April. The dry spell caused mango fruits to drop off the trees. Yesterday's storm took a further toll on the crop,” lamented Mr Subodh Mishra, secretary of the Malda Mango Merchants’ Association.
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