One killed, 175 injured as tornado hits Tripura

Agartala, May 1 (IANS) A farmer was killed and 175 injured in Tripura when a tornado, accompanied by rain and hailstorm, hit the state, destroying more than 1,000 houses, uprooting trees and disrupting communication, officials said Tuesday.

Authorities have stepped up efforts to provide relief to those affected by the tornado that struck late Monday. The injured comprise children, women and elderly people.

"Of the 175 injured, the condition of 60 people is stated to be serious. They are being treated in different government hospitals and Gobinda Ballav Pant Medical college and hospital here," Sipahijala District Magistrate Krishna Dulal Choudhury told reporters.

A 60-year-old farmer was electrocuted when live electrical wires snapped by the cyclonic storm struck him at Dharmanagar in northern Tripura, 195 km north of here.

The district administration has opened three relief camps at Bishalgarh in western Tripura, 30 km south of here, for the affected people.

The seasonal Nor'wester accompanied by rains and hailstorm also damaged more than 1,000 houses and killed livestock.

Hundreds of trees, telephone and electric poles have been uprooted, affecting the movement of vehicles.

"Civil defence workers and district officials are busy providing relief. Officials are trying to restore communication lines and power supplies," the official said.

At least 11 people have died in storms and lightning strikes in Tripura in April.