23 dead, 300 wounded in nor'wester, missing 31, vast area razed, life paralysed, 3rd Ld

Severe nor'wester lashed various parts of the country Tuesday night and Wednesday killing at least 21 people and injuring over 500, and leaving a trail of devastation.(3rd Ld)

Advisory: UPDATES with death toll rises to 23, Adds Comilla, Satkhira

Dhaka, March 23 (BDNEWS) – Severe nor'wester lashed various parts of the country Tuesday night and Wednesday killing at least 21 people and injuring over 500, and leaving a trail of devastation.

Seven deaths were reported from Chandpur, four from Habiganj, two each from Faridpur, Kishoreganj and Jhenidah, and one each in Manikganj, Munshiganj, Jessore, Comilla, Satkhira and Pabna.

Also, three more people wounded in March 20 night's nor'wester in Gaibandha succumbed to their injuries Wednesday.

At least 31 people remained missing as boats and trawlers capsized during the stormy weather for the last couple of days.

Torrential rains paralysed normal life in many areas, including capital Dhaka.

The BIWTA (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority) suspended launch movement across the country, including to and from Sadarghat in the capital with Met office asked to hoist cautionary signal number 2.

Only a rocket left Barisal terminal.

Due to inclement weather, two flights of Bangladesh Biman had emergency landing at Shah Amanat Airport in Chittagong. One had the emergency landing on Tuesday evening and another Wednesday afternoon.

The nor'wester snapped telecommunications in a number of places. Also, electricity supply was affected as the line got damaged in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, including Khulna and Sylhet.

Chuadanga is out of electricity since 5pm Tuesday. Similar disruption was reported from other parts of the country.

BDNEWS correspondent reported that the nor'wester accompanied by hailstorm wrought havoc in many part of the country. Many trees and thatched houses fell down and standing crops were damaged in the storm.

Quoting police and local people, BDNEWS Chandpur correspondent reported that hundreds of thatched houses and trees were damaged in a 15-minute nor'wester from 8pm Tuesday.

Police super Mokhlesur Rahman informed that Rony, 3, of Ramdhanimura in Hajiganj, Rina Akter, 12, of Ragoi of Shahrasti, Sabura Khatun, 60, of Chalia, Tofazzal Mizi (50) of Nayarhat in Faridganj and Rezia Begum, 60, of Dherra of Hajiganj died as their houses collapsed during the storm.

Besides, the SP told BDNEWS that freedom fighter Mafizur Rahman, 80, of Chandail of Shaharasti and madrasa teacher Habibur Rahman, 73, of Govindapur in Faridganj died in lightning.

Over 100 people were injured. Many of them were admitted to Chandpur Sadar hospital.

One person identified as Yunus Sardar, 60, hailing from Shariatpur, remained missing as a boat capsized during the nor'wester.

The district was out of electricity since Tuesday evening. Also, telecommunications between the district and upazila headquarters remained suspended.

District relief office, however, said they know nothing about the natural disaster.

BDNEWS Jessore correspondent reported two people were killed at Puropara of Maheshpur in Jhenidah and one at Sharsha in Jessore during a nor'wester Wednesday evening.

Also, a police camp at Khajura in Jessore collapsed by the stormy weather. Several ansar members were injured.

BDNEWS Habiganj correspondent reported that four people, including a woman, died in lightning while working at fields at Ajmiriganj Wednesday morning.

They were identified as Mamtaz Mian, 62, Rabedunnesa, 60, Anil Das, 48, and Salahuddin, 16.

Two injured in the lightning were admitted to hospital.

The district was out electricity till 6pm.

In Kishoreganj, Sufia Khatun, 25, died in lightning while Kaiyum, 13, was electrocuted when he came in touch of a live wire during the rainy weather Wednesday.

BDNEWS Faridpur correspondent reported: two people were killed and over 50 injured as a nor'wester lashed Boalmari, Bhanga, Nagarkanda, Sadarpur and Sadar upazilas Tuesday night.

The victims killed in house collapse were identified as M Odud, 80, of Shilahati village and Zia Sheikh, 45, of Bhelanagar of Boialmari.

A severe nor'wester lashed Munsiganj Wednesday afternoon killing one person.

In Shariatpur, at least 50 people were injured during a nor'wester Tuesday night.

BDNEWS Noakhali correspondent reported that 30 fishermen remained missing as several trawlers and boats capsized Tuesday night.

Also, one person died in lightning in Pabna Tuesday night.

BDNEWS/2203 hrs