27 killed in Bara storm

Bara, March 31

At least 27 people were killed when a massive storm hit several places in the southern district of Bara and adjoining Parsa this evening.

According to district police office in Bara, 26 persons were killed and over 400 were injured after fierce winds accompanied by hailstorms and rain struck Pheta area of the district for over half-an-hour late in the evening. Police said the storm damaged hundreds of houses in the area. At least one person was also killed in nearby Prasauni village in Parsa district.

“Police have collected at least 26 bodies from Pheta area which was worst hit by the storm,” Bara’s Chief District Officer Rajesh Poudel told THT. It’s the preliminary report, he added.

Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepali Army personnel have been deployed to the affected areas for rescue and relief operations, according to CDO Poudel. Most of the affected areas are on Nepal-India border. The injured are being rushed to Birgunj-based National Medical College and Narayani Sub-regional Hospital for treatment, Poudel said.

The storm also damaged over 12 passenger buses that were parked along the roadside during the incident, police added. The storm also led to power outage in the district.

Details of the incident are sketchy.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed sadness over the loss of lives in the storm on Twitter. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The government will provide support to the injured and victims’ families, the PM added.