Jalpaiguri:

A storm devastated parts of northern West Bengal state’s Jalpaiguri district on Sunday, killing four people and injuring at least 70 others, officials said.

They said strong winds devastated much of the district headquarters town and many areas in neighboring Mainaguri, damaging several houses, uprooting trees and toppling electricity poles.

The worst-affected districts include Rajarhat, Banish, Bakkari, Joppakdi, Madabudanga and Saputibari, they said.

The victims were identified as Dijendra Narayan Sarkar (52) from Sempala, Anima Burman from Paharpur, they added (45 years old), Jagen Roy (72 years old) from Putimali and Samar Roy (64 years old) from Rajarhat.

“Rescue operations are underway,” a disaster management official said.

Dhupguri MLA Nirmal Chandra Roy told PTI that several people were injured and taken to the hospital.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said civil administration, police and disaster management personnel have been deployed for relief efforts.

Quick response teams (QRT) have also been deployed and affected people are being moved to safer locations, she said.

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“The district administration will provide compensation to the next of kin of the deceased and injured as per the rules and following the MCC (Model Code of Conduct),” she added.

Banerjee said her thoughts were with the affected families and assured them of various assistance from the government.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)