Kolkata: Eleven persons were killed and 15 others injured on Sunday when a powerful norwester hit different parts of West Bengal, disrupting campaigning for the next phases of Lok Sabha polls in the state but bringing respite from the scorching heat.
Seven persons were killed in Malda district as norwester uprooted trees and electric poles. Four others, including three women, died at Sodepur, Barasat, Minakha and Najath of North 24-Parganas district under collapsed mud wall or uprooted coconut trees, sources said.
Fifteen labourers were injured when lightning struck them in Burdwan district during the thunder storm.
In Malda district, four persons were reported to have died in Kaliachak II block. While two of them died trapped under uprooted trees, two others were electrocuted when rain lashed at around 11 am, Block Development Officer (BDO) C Pramanik said.
Two persons died when branches of trees fell on them at Manikchak block of the district, official sources said.
Another person died at Naraharpur village of English Bazar block when an electric wire snapped and fell on him during heavy rains, official sources said.
In Burdwan district, 15 labourers were injured when lightning struck them as a thunderstorm swept Pilsura village.