Trader Killed by Falling Tree, Storm Causes Multi-Million Taka Loss Across Seven Upazilas

Bogra has been left devastated by repeated nor’wester storms, with one trader killed by a falling tree, hundreds of homes damaged, and widespread crop destruction across at least seven upazilas, causing losses worth over Tk 10 million.

According to the preliminary assessment of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), at least 1,165 farming families have been affected, with agricultural losses estimated at approximately Tk 11.4 million.

The latest tragedy occurred early Monday (April 27) in Lathiganj Bazar under Sukhanpukur Union of Gabtali upazila, where a large banyan tree was uprooted during the storm and crashed onto a betel leaf shop. Uma Chandra, 52, a local trader who was sleeping inside the shop at the time, died on the spot.

Fire Service personnel rushed to the scene, cut through the fallen tree, and recovered the body. Police later visited the site. Officer-in-Charge of Gabtali Model Police Station, Rakib Hasan, confirmed the incident.

This was not the first such disaster in recent weeks. In mid-March, severe nor’wester storms also caused major destruction in several parts of the district, particularly in Shibganj, Sherpur, Dhunat, Shajahanpur, Sariakandi, Gabtali, and Sonatala upazilas.

DAE officials said around 28 hectares of Boro paddy fields and 15 hectares of vegetable farmland were either partially or completely damaged. Marginal farmers have been hit the hardest, many of whom had invested their last savings in seasonal cultivation.

In Shibganj and Sariakandi, several hundred houses lost their tin roofs, while walls of many residential homes collapsed due to strong winds. Uprooted trees also fell on power lines, disrupting electricity supply for long hours across different parts of the district.

The Rural Electrification Board is currently carrying out emergency repair works to restore power connections.

Residents of the affected areas alleged that adequate government assistance has yet to reach many victims, especially farmers who are urgently seeking financial incentives and rehabilitation support to recover from the losses.

Meanwhile, images and videos of the destruction have widely circulated on Facebook through local community pages and personal accounts. Footage showing the death of the trader in Gabtali, flying tin roofs in Shibganj and Sariakandi, broken electric poles, and damaged croplands has gone viral, drawing widespread public concern.

District administration officials said a comprehensive damage assessment is currently underway. Upazila administrations and agricultural officers are collecting field-level data, and necessary measures will be taken to support the affected families.

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md. Motahar Hossain said, “We are currently conducting a full assessment of the storm damage. All our Project Implementation Officers (PIOs) are present and collecting detailed reports from the field. A coordination meeting was also held today. Once we receive the complete report, we will be able to provide full details.”