The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

At least 112 people were injured and over 500 houses damaged in tornadoes that swept over Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur districts yesterday.

In Gaibandha, a tornado lashed Gopalcharan village in Sundarganj upazila in the morning, leaving 12 people injured and over 100 thatched houses damaged.

Sources said the villagers, including women and children, sustained injuries while trying to take shelter during the violent storm that started at about 9am.

UNO Barat Hossain Chowdhury said the tornado accompanied by heavy rain lasted for three to four minutes, leaving a trail of destruction.

Reports about other losses could not be known immediately.

In Lalmonirhat, at least 50 people were injured and over 200 houses damaged as a tornado whipped Sarpukur Saralkha village in Aditmari upazila in the morning.

Local sources said the storm lashed the village at about 11am and lasted for five minutes. The injured were admitted to Upazila Health Complex and Sadar Hospital where condition of five was stated to be critical.

Upazila parishad chairman Sirajul Haque visited the spot and distributed 20 kgs of rice to each affected family.

In Rangpur, a tornado lashed three villages in Kaunia upazila, leaving about 50 people injured.

The storm also damaged about 200 houses and standing crops on a vast tract of lands in Kursha, Gopal and Bishnapur villages, said upazila chairman Anwarul Islam Maya.

A large number of trees and electric poles were uprooted during the five-minute storm that began at about 11am.

Two of the injured were admitted to Kaunia Upazila Health Complex while the rest given first aid.

The upazila chairman and UNO Anwar Hossain visited the affected villages and distributed Tk 20,000 in cash among the tornado victims.