Patna: At least four people died and several others were injured after a powerful storm accompanied by heavy rain lashed Patna on Friday afternoon, uprooting trees, damaging vehicles and paralysing traffic across large parts of the city.
The sudden change in weather, which lasted for nearly half an hour, plunged parts of the capital into darkness as thick black clouds engulfed the sky before conditions gradually improved later in the evening.
Authorities said three passengers travelling in an auto-rickshaw died after a tree collapsed onto their vehicle near Rajvanshi Nagar. A coconut vendor was also killed during the storm.
Trees Collapse Across City
Several trees were uprooted in different parts of Patna due to strong winds and heavy rainfall.
A tree reportedly fell near Patna High Court, while another crashed onto a parked vehicle inside the Secretariat complex.
Officials also reported incidents of trees falling on roads, houses and shops across multiple neighbourhoods.
Near 10 Circular Road, the residence of former chief minister Rabri Devi, a large tree collapsed onto the road, completely blocking traffic movement and triggering long queues of vehicles.
Another tree reportedly fell near the Anne Marg route leading towards the chief minister’s residence.
Fairgrounds Damaged, Roads Gridlocked
The storm also caused major damage at the Disneyland Fair grounds opposite the ISKCON Temple Patna.
A tree reportedly fell onto a house within the fair premises, while several temporary shops and structures were destroyed by strong winds.
Heavy traffic congestion was reported across major roads after the storm.
Severe jams developed on routes connecting Jagdeo Path to Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, while traffic movement slowed considerably on Nehru Path flyover and Deshratna Marg after fallen trees blocked roadways.
Rescue Operations Under Way
District administration officials launched emergency response measures following the storm.
Executive officers of municipal bodies, forest department personnel and officials from electricity and road construction departments were deployed across affected areas.
An National Disaster Response Force team was sent to Gardanibagh after reports emerged that a person had become trapped beneath a fallen tree.
Rescue operations were continuing late into the evening.
Zoo Closed, Flight Diverted
Authorities announced the temporary closure of Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park after trees fell inside the zoo premises during the storm.
Officials said the zoo would reopen only after clearance work was completed.
Adverse weather conditions also disrupted air traffic, with a Kolkata-to-Patna flight reportedly diverted to Lucknow.
