Bihar Government providing relief to storm-hit Purnia District: Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said his government has provided all the required necessities to people affected by a storm in Purnia District.

"I have ordered all the required compensations. One quintal grain and financial help for other necessities has been provided to people whose houses were uprooted due to the storm," said Kumar.

The District Magistrate of Purnia, Rajesh Kumar, said over 36,000 people had been affected by the storm.

"These are tentative figures, surveys are still being conducted. We will provide them with food, clothes, and utensils. We have already sent 2400 quintals of grain to the worst hit areas," said Kumar.

Earlier in the day, people hit by severe storm in Bihar, which killed 42 and injured scores, said they did not receive any financial aid, a day after state government claimed it had issued a compensation.

A severe storm had hit Purnia district on Tuesday night, leaving a trail of destruction, killing people and livestock, uprooting trees, damaging houses and destroying crops.

On Wednesday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a compensation of four lakh rupees to the families of those killed and said the disbursement was complete in many regions after conducting an aerial survey of affected areas.

However, residents said no one from the government's side took stock of the situation.