11 killed as tropical storm hits eastern India

At least 11 people were killed and 15 injured when a powerful nor'wester hit India's eastern state of West Bengal, a news report said Monday. The casualties were caused Sunday by house collapses and lightning strikes, the PTI news agency reported. Seven villagers were killed in the central district of Malda when the storm uprooted trees and electrical poles. Four people died in different areas in the North 24-Parganas district, the report said. Fifteen workers were injured when lightning struck them in Burdwan district.

A nor'wester is a type of storm that occurs in West Bengal during springtime or early summer, leading to a cooling effect. The sporadic spells of rain and winds not only disrupted lives in the districts but also affected the campaigns of political leaders ahead of general elections in the state on Thursday and May 13.

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