After the storm, farmers in Bihar count their losses

The storm that ripped through the northeastern districts of Bihar late on Tuesday night has not only left 48 people dead but has also destroyed crops in thousands of acres of land, with Purnia and Madhepura districts being worst affected.

The storm that ripped through the northeastern districts of Bihar late on Tuesday night has not only left 48 people dead but has also destroyed crops in thousands of acres of land, with Purnia and Madhepura districts being worst affected.

“The storm came upon us so suddenly and ended so quickly that we never realised the gravity of the situation… It took everything away from us,” said Supan Jha, 81, a farmer.

In Madhepura, vast tracts of land lie bare as the maize crop is destroyed and trees uprooted.

“I had pinned all my hope on my mango orchard… It’s all destroyed now. I don’t know what to do,” said Abhinandan Yadav, who also lost his granddaughter in the storm.

The state government has announced immediate gratuitous relief of `5,800 in cash. In addition, an ex-gratia of `4 lakh was announced to the next of kin of the deceased.

The gratuitous relief includes one quintal of food grain to those whose houses were damaged in the rains.

The government has asked the disaster management department to do a quick assessment of the damage done in the rains.

After assessment, people whose houses were damaged completely would be eligible for a compensation of `95,100 (for pucca houses) and `51,900 (for kutcha houses).

Union minister Rajnath Singh will conduct an aerial survey of Purnia on Friday. He will also meet chief minister Nitish Kumar and chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh.