Photo: BSS

KHAGRACHHARI, April 28, 2026 (BSS) - A sudden Nor'wester (Kalbaisakhi storm) in two upazilas of the district today caused extensive damage to crops, houses and other properties and leaving thousands without electricity and severing road communication with Dhaka and Chattogram.

The storm struck Matiranga and Guimara upazilas around 11:30 am, uprooting large trees and damaging homes, crops, and infrastructure. 

A roughly 4-kilometer stretch of the Khagrachari-Chattogram road-from Muslim Para through Rasulpur to Bailyachari Budung Para-was blocked by fallen trees, bringing traffic to a complete halt. Hundreds of vehicles were left stranded on both sides, causing significant hardship for passengers.

The disruption had a severe impact on students sitting for ongoing SSC examinations. At Guimara examination center, power went out shortly after exams began. Examinees were forced to continue under difficult conditions. 

The storm also caused significant damage to the power supply system. Fallen electricity poles in Rasulpur led to a complete outage in both Matiranga and Guimara, further complicating the situation for residents and examinees alike. In some examination centers, candles were used to continue tests.

Local sources reported extensive damage to homes, trees, and agricultural land. In one tragic incident in the Adarsh Gram area, a farmer's cow died after a tree collapsed onto a house.

Matiranga Upazila Nirbahi officer said that multiple electricity poles were uprooted, roads were obstructed in several places, and many houses were damaged. Authorities have begun efforts to clear debris and restore communication, while assessments are ongoing to determine the full extent of the losses.

Residents and local administration are working together to remove fallen trees and normalize traffic as quickly as possible.