Severe rainfall and hailstorm hit Rangpur city in the early hours of Tuesday and wreaks havoc in the neighbouring areas.
The catastrophic storm uprooted hundreds of trees in the city, which fell and injured at least 15 people. Fallen trees also blocked major city roads and intersections. Five of the injured were admitted to different hospitals in the city.
Moreover, electrical poles were damaged, causing day long power outage to various areas of the city .
Rangpur Weather Office Assistant Meteorologist, Mostafizur Rahman said: “The storm had a speed of 63 kilometers per hour. The office also recorded a rainfall of 39mm in the city.”
Rangpur Power Development Board Distribution Division Executive Engineer, Delwar Hossain said: “The storm knocked out the power grids in many areas of the city. Repair works may take some time and the power is expected to be restored by tonight.”
Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director, Saidul Haque said: “The heavy hailstorm caused substantial damage to vegetable and other crops in the fields; officials are working to determine the actual amount of loss.”
A district relief and rehabilitation centre officer said that a vicious storm was reported in the city but specific details of the damages were yet to be received.
