7 killed as nor’wester sweeps over country

At least seven people were killed as nor’wester with rain and thunderstorm swept over the country from Sunday morning to night. 

Two people were killed in Dhaka while two in Moulvibazar, one in Netrakona, one in Kishoreganj and one in Sunamganj. 

Hanif Mia, a street tea vendor, was killed after bricks fell on his head from a nearby high-rise building, apparently by the impact of the wind. 

Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police outpost in-charge Bachchu Mia said that the vendor died around 7:00pm.

A 62-year-old woman, Lili De Costa, died on the spot when a tree branch fell on her head while she was taking a stroll on Lake Road around 6:00pm, said Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station officer in-charge Jane Alam Munsi.

In Moulvibazar, two minor sisters died after a thunderbolt struck them at Patanushar village in Kaliganj upazila.

The deceased were identified as Sadia Akhter, 6, and Munni Akhter, 4, daughters of Junayed Mia of the village.

The thunderbolt hit them around 9:30am when the siblings were playing at their courtyard, leaving them severely injured, according to locals.

In Kishoreganj, a young farmer named Rabbi Mia died after being hit by a thunderbolt around 11:30am at Nandirhat village in Itna upazila.

In Netrakona, an old man named Asar Ali, 69, was killed after being struck by lightning at Bahadurpur village under Rouha union in the sadar upazila at 10:30 am. 

In Sunamganj, Delwar Hossain, 17, Juhur Miah, was killed in lightning while cutting grass in Haor at Kashipur village of Jamalganj upazila around 1 pm.