Storms leave 18 dead, 50 hurt in eastern India
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-25 14:58

Two days of gales and heavy rains left at least 18 people dead, 50 hurt and 7,500 homeless in India's West Bengal state, officials said.

Eight died in Burdwan, 200 kilometres (120 miles) west of Calcutta and another 10 in coastal villages strung along the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday and Thursday.

"We have received reports of the deaths. Relief have been sent to the affected places," said West Bengal relief minister Hafiz Alem Sairani on Friday.

The casualties included 30 children hurt when a school roof collapsed on Wednesday, he said.

Sairani announced that the families of the dead would be paid 70,000 rupees (1,625 dollars) each in compensation.

The minister said most people died when their makeshift homes were blown over. The homeless were being sheltered in schools.

He described a trail of devastation with trees uprooted and high tension power lines and telephone links down.

At least 22 people died Tuesday and Wednesday when tropical storms swept across neighbouring Bangladesh.

Thunderstorms and strong winds are frequent at this time of year in the Bay of Bengal.

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