Staff Reporter, Gaibandha/

Who knows there will be such a storm. The whole day is hot. And at dawn Aitot (at night) suddenly a storm started. The tin rice in the house is blowing in the wind. The trees are falling, the paddy of the land has fallen. How can we handle the damage? Hamar saug (everything) in a sudden storm.’

Rahima Begum, who was affected by the Kalbaisakhi storm, said this while crying on Monday (May 22) afternoon. On Saturday (May 20) early morning, various areas of Sundarganj Upazila of Gaibandha were devastated by a sudden Kalbaisakhi storm. After the intermittent rain, the gales and gusty winds suddenly started. At this time, the tin shed of the house was blown away, trees fell one after another. At least four hundred houses were destroyed in the upazila. At present, most of the affected families are living under the open sky.

Rahima Begum is the wife of Saeed Ali alias Saked Ali of Ganderpar area of West Baidyanath village of Sundarganj Upazila Sonarai Union. We are now in the open sky with straw and poil. This storm was coming our way.

On investigation, it is known that at least 400 houses, shops and 5000 small and big trees have been broken due to Kalbaisakhi storm and rains that swept over 15 unions and one municipality of the upazila. Out of this, Sonara, Haripur, Tarapur and Belka Unions of the upazila have suffered extensive damage.

The victims said that everything was destroyed in 15-20 minutes of storm. Many are with their families under the open sky. So far no one has traced them. No official relief assistance was given. Sundarganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO). Walif Mondal said that at least 400 houses were damaged by the storm. The list has been collected and sent to the district through the respective union council chairmen.