Storm fury claims lives: Two killed, including teen, as trees fall during storm; government to provide ex gratia relief to victims

Daltonganj: Two persons, including a 17-year-old boy, were killed and two others were injured after tree branches fell on them during a storm which swept through Palamu district late on Wednesday.

Kamdeo Chandravanshi, 40, a resident of Bihar, was killed when a branch from a peepal tree fell on him Marghatia road under Haidernagar police station, around 85 km here. Chandravanshi was riding his motorcycle, was killed on the spot. His pillion rider, Anil Ram, sustained grievous injuries and was referred to a higher centre in Bihar. “Neither of them was wearing a helmet,” said Haidernagar police station’s officer incharge Afzal Ansari. He further said the motorcycle was crushed under the weight of the branch.

In a separate incident, a 17-year-old boy, Pappu Kumar, was killed at Naudeeha under Lesliganj police station after a mahua tree branch fell on him while he was travelling in a pickup van carrying DJ equipment. Lesliganj OC Uttam Kumar Rai confirmed the death.

Officials said the state govt has notified storm, including gale and dust storm, as a disaster, making victims eligible for compensation. Additional collector and disaster relief nodal officer Kundan Kumar said that the Haidernagar incident would be examined for ex gratia relief. “Post-mortem has been conducted, which is mandatory for compensation,” officials said.