5 killed, over 100 injured in tornado, storm [ Tritiyo Matra News ]

5 killed, over 100 injured in tornado, storm

Local August 22, 2016

A sudden tornado killed at least five people and injured about 60 people in Faridpur, and at least 40 people were injured in storms and heavy rainfall that damaged houses, trees and crops in several other districts on Sunday.
Rough weather, heavy rainfall and onrush of water from upstream flooded low lying areas in several districts and disrupted operations in the Chittagong Sea Port and Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport. Two international flights were diverted to Dhaka due to bad weather.
In Faridpur, at least five people were killed and about 60 people were injured when a tornado swept over Faridpur Sadar upazila on Sunday.
Three workers of Jobaida Karim jute mills at Bakhunda area of sadar upazila were killed while another two people died falling under trees at Keshabnagar and daranipara areas, said Kotwali thana OC Nazim Uddin.
The deceased were identified as jute mill workers Hazrat Ali, 40, Akash, 22, Maloti, 25, Biren Biswas, 35, and Abul Hossain, 40. The injured were admitted to Faridpur Medical College and Hospital.
Besides, more than 100 houses and over 1,000 trees were destroyed due to the storm.
The OC said the storm, which began on Sunday afternoon, blew away about 5,000 square feet of steel sheets from the mill.
Fire fighters continued rescue operations at the affected jute mill, the official said.
In Sirajganj, a tornado blew over Shahjadpur upazila and damaged houses at 20 villages. The tornado, which lasted for two or three minutes, destroyed 1,200 houses and uprooted trees in the area.
At least 25 people were reportedly injured after falling under trees and flying tin roofs. Several critically injured people were admitted to Shahjadpur health complex and local clinics.
Upazila nirbahi officer Shamim Ahmad said the sudden attack of tornado caused heavy damage. Roads and electricity remained disconnected.
Meanwhile, in Bhola, low land areas were inundated and 50,000 people from 20 villages were left reeling under water.
Because of turbulence at sea, locals were asked to follow cautionary signal number 3 in the district, said Bhola weather office.
In Feni, water was flowing above the danger level at Muhuri river due to rains and on rush of water from hills. Muhuri river embankment broke down due to strong currents and flooded four villages on the bank of the river on Sunday.
Feni water development board executive director Kohinur Alam said that Mohuri river started flowing above the danger level from 6pm on Sunday.
In Munshiganj, rough weather and strong currents in Padma compelled the authorities to shut ferry operation on Shimulia-Kewrakandi route on Sunday.
Mawa BIWTC manager Abdul Alim said that after 4 pm the river Padma became rough and due to strong current the ferry was shut down on the route.
Besides, a sudden storm at Gowdia village in Lowhaganj upazila blew away 35 shops at Gowdia bazaar and injured 12 people.
In Chittagong, the incessant rain disrupted normal life.
Operational activities of Chittagong Sea Port and Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport were also disrupted for the rain. Two international flights were diverted to Dhaka due to bad weather.
The rain that began on Sunday morning was continuing till evening. Some parts of the low-lying areas of the port city were inundated in rain water, causing immense sufferings to the commuters throughout the whole day.
Met office in the city’s Patenga area recorded a total of 95.2mm rainfall in the 24 hour till 3pm on Sunday.
Meteorologist Farid Ahmed of the met office said squally weather may affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number three.
Chittagong Airport manager wing commander Reazul Kabir said two flights of Air Arabia and Fly Dubai from Sharjah and Dubai respectively were diverted to Dhaka Shahjalal International Airport in the morning as they could not land at Chittagong due to bad weather. Later in the afternoon, the two flights returned from Dhaka.
The operational activities of Chittagong Port outer anchorage were also hampered as lighter ships could not go to the area due to bad weather.
Water Transport Co-ordination Cell joint-secretary Ataul Kabir Ranju said 30-35 lighter ships go at outer anchorage on a normal day but on Sunday only 15 to 18 lighter ships went to the area.