Officials fear the number of dead could rise as rescue work continues into the morning hours…
AMN / KATHMANDU
Rescue and relief operation is on in storm-affected Bara and Parsa districts of Nepal. At least 27 persons were killed and over 600 injured in a massive storm in various parts of the two district last evening.
Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is visiting affected areas to take stock of the situation. Five Indians are also among 27 persons killed in a devastating storm last evening.
Consulate General of India, Birgunj officials are in the process of contacting family members of the deceased to provide all necessary assistance.
Around 350 people have been discharged from hospital while over 250 are still undergoing treatment. The condition of several injured reported to be critical. Province 2 government has announced Rs.3 Lakh each to kin of those who lost their lives due to the storm. The Provincial government has also decided to bear all expenses for the treatment of the injured.
A local lawmaker who visited the affected area described the moment the storm swept homes in the villages as unlike anything he has seen before.
“When I reached one of the villages at night, the roofs in almost all of the homes had been blown away, walls had crumbled and belongings inside the homes had flown all over the place,” said Paras Sah.
According to Dipendra Jha, the chief attorney for Province 2, Bhaluhi, Bharbaliya and Chainpur are the most affected villages in Bara. Local police officials said as rescue work continues, they fear the number of dead could rise.