Nor�wester lashes capital
At least 20 people were injured when strong winds rising to 33kmph triggered a hailstorm and rains over the capital around 11: 50am yesterday. The storm snapped electrical wires and uprooted electric poles, disrupting power supply for some time.The injured received first aid at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
A portion of the boundary wall of the Supreme Court was also damaged by the storm, but no one was hurt.
Community healthcare providers were on a hunger strike at Central Shahid Minar when the hailstorm hit the capital, injuring 14 of them. Also, six people went missing when a bulkhead capsized in the Dhaleswari river in Narayanganj, according to reports.
The storm also wreaked havoc at the Ekushey book fair at the Bangla Academy and its extended areas in Suhrawardy Uddyan, halting business for over two hours. Around 50 stalls were damaged and visitors were forced to run for cover. Many trees were damaged in the storm. A fallen tree on the street in front of the Chief Justices residence briefly disrupted traffic in the area until it was removed by the fire department.Most rickshaws disappeared from the streets during the hailstorm, while those willing to brave the storm hiked their fares. Heavy showers were also reported from Satkhira (70mm), Rangamati (61mm), Gopalganj, Khulna, Comilla and Feni.
Met department sources said the disruption weather was caused due to an easterly depression over the Gangetic West Bengal and surrounding areas, with its trough over the Bay of Bengal.
More rains are predicted early today, met department sources said. However, clear weather is expected later on.
