At least one killed in Baitul Mukarram canopy collapse in fury of nor'wester

A storm with ferocious winds has slammed Dhaka, leaving at least one person dead and 20 others injured in a collapse of a makeshift canopy.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 17 May 2019, 02:54 PM
Updated : 17 May 2019, 03:30 PM

The covering next to the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque caved in on people preparing to say their prayers after Iftar on Friday evening, according to police and Fire Service and Civil Defence. 

The dead has been identified as Shafiqul Islam, 36.

He was declared dead when people brought the injured to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Sub-Inspector Md Bachchu Mia at the police camp there told bdnews24.com.

The injured numbering 20 to 22 were being given first-aid at the hospital, he added.

Russell Shikder, a fire service official at its control room, said they were responding to reports that the storm ripped trees out of the ground at several places.

Meteorologist Shahinul Islam said the wind speed during the storm was 93 kph at Shahjalal International Airport at 7:05pm.

The average wind speed in the capital during the storm was 65 kph at 7:02pm, he added.

MORE STORMS LIKELY

Similar storms with rains hit different parts of the country.

The Met Office said wind speed was 67 kph during a storm in Rangpur in the morning, and 52 kph in Rajshahi and 65 kph in Bogura in the evening.

“Storms are likely now as the third spell of heat wave is still sweeping over the country,” meteorologist Shahinul said.  

“It is the season of nor’westers. Rains will push mercury down,” he added.

The maximum temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in Rajshahi. Mercury went up to 35.7 degrees Celsius in Dhaka.

In Saturday’s forecast, the Met Office said rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi and Chattogram divisions.

Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.

Mild heat wave is sweeping over the Khulna division and the regions of Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Rajshahi and Pabna and it may continue at some places.

Day and night temperature may rise slightly over the country.