Elderly woman killed, two injured in thunderstorm in Panchagarh

A sudden thunderstorm with hail in Panchagarh on Friday night (March 27) claimed the life of a 65-year-old woman and left at least two others injured.

The deceased, Chakati Bala, was killed when a tree fell on her house in Chanpara, where she was home alone.

The storm, which began around 10:30pm and intensified after midnight, caused widespread damage to homes and crops across the district.

In Dhakkamara Union near the railway station, part of a three-story building’s roof collapsed onto a tin house, seriously injuring Mainul Islam and his wife Khukumoni, who were hospitalized.

The storm uprooted trees and damaged numerous tin-roofed houses, while hail destroyed corn, wheat, vegetables, and budding mango and lychee crops, according to local farmers.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the event was caused by seasonal wind activity and warned of possible isolated thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail in the area until April 1.