Kolkata, 07 May( HS): At least Nine people lost their lives in heavy rain and lightning in Bengal on Monday evening. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Tuesday, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and promised them all kinds of help.

Expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, Mamata Banerjee wrote on her official X handle, ''Profoundly sad to know that 9 persons died due to thunderstorms and lightning last night (5 in Purba Burdwan, 2 each in Paschim Medinipur and Purulia), while 2 more persons died due to wall collapses in Nadia and 1 more due to tree collapse in South 24 Parganas. Our district administrations everywhere have been working on disaster management mode round the clock and are taking actions to provide relief and ex gratia as per guidelines. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families of the 12 fellow citizens of Bengal.''

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has informed that there is a possibility of heavy rain in 11 districts of the state on Tuesday as well. According to the forecast, there is a possibility of thunderstorms in Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, East and West Burdwan, Bankura and Jhargram including Kolkata. Strong winds can blow at a speed of about 50-60 km per hour.k

According to the Meteorological Department, there may be heavy rain in North and South 24 Parganas, East Medinipur. There is a possibility of sporadic rain in various districts of South Bengal from Wednesday to Friday. Also, strong winds can blow at a speed of 40-60 km. There is a high possibility of rain and storm in Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia.

Hindusthan Samachar/Priyanka /Manoj