Over 200 houses destroyed by Nor’westers in Kulaura

More than 200 houses were damaged when a violent nor’wester struck Kulaura Upazila, uprooting trees, disrupting power lines, and affecting several unions.

Reports of extensive damage have been received from Sadar, Prithimpasha, Rautgaon, Brahmanbazar, Tilagaon, Hajipur, and other unions. Public representatives from the affected areas confirmed the destruction.

The storm, which began suddenly after 10:30 am on Wednesday, damaged educational institutions, business establishments, and residential houses. Rice fields were also affected, while numerous trees and electricity poles were uprooted along various roads in Kulaura.

In Prithimpasha Union’s Robir Bazar, a tree fell on the main road, causing extensive damage to an auto-rickshaw and several shops.

Several trees also fell on the road in the Luayuni Tea Garden area along the Moulvibazar-Kulaura road, blocking traffic for about one and a half to two hours. Trees across other parts of the upazila disrupted movement as well.

Locals reported that in villages like Pirer Bazar, Narton, and Robir Bazar, the storm was so intense that tin roofs were blown away and large trees uprooted. Roofs of houses were torn off with loud noises during the storm.

Acting Chairman of Tilagaon Union Parishad, Md. Abdul Basit, said, “The storm blew off the tin roofs of more than 40 houses in my union. Around 2,000 trees were damaged along roads and residential areas. I will prepare a final damage list and submit it to the upazila administration.”

Rautgaon Union Parishad member Abdul Muktadir Monu said about 25-30 houses were damaged when the storm hit suddenly. In Bhabanipur, large roadside trees were uprooted, damaging boundary walls, paved roads, and electrical lines. He demanded government assistance for affected families.

Prithimpasha Union Parishad Acting Chairman Md. Selim Ahmed Chowdhury said, “More than 50 houses and 5-6 businesses in Robir Bazar were damaged. Many trees fell on roads across the union. We have informed the Upazila Administration and the Forest Department.”

Rabindra Kumar Singh, Forest Officer of the Kulaura Forest Department, said three teams are working to remove fallen trees and restore normal movement.

Risky trees along major roads have been identified, and the Forest Department has been instructed to take necessary action following directions from the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

He further added that higher authorities have been informed and a list of risky trees has been sent to the divisional forest office. Necessary steps will be taken to remove them.

Areas with mature social forestry trees will also be identified, and arrangements will be made for cutting them where needed.

Md. Shahadat Hossain, Nirbahi Engineer of the Kulaura Electricity Sales and Distribution Center, reported that the storm caused significant damage to power lines in various areas due to uprooted roadside trees. Restoration work is underway.

Kulaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Mohiuddin said, “We have learned from various UP chairmen that many houses were damaged in the storm. Information from affected areas is being collected. After receiving the final list of affected families, an application will be made to higher authorities for assistance.”

Regarding the cutting of dangerous dead trees along roads, he added that the issue had been raised about two months ago in an Upazila Law and Order Committee meeting.

The Forest Department had been instructed to take action, and further steps will be taken as soon as possible.