Pihu Roy, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl, and Rohit Roy, a 14-year-old boy, both residents of Barnish in Mainaguri block of Jalpaiguri, had no inkling that they would have to bear the brunt of a mini tornado that razed their village on Sunday afternoon.

They are under treatment at a private nursing home in Siliguri in critical condition with head injuries as their families are keeping their fingers crossed, praying for their recovery.

“We were watching television when the storm hit our home with a horrific sound. As we tried to escape to a safer place, my daughter fell to the ground and a wall collapsed
on her. The storm literally blew away my bike into a bush,” said Tamal, Pihu’s father, recollecting Sunday’s experience.

A cosy leisure day for the family turned into a nightmare within minutes, with Tamal carrying his daughter to the block hospital in Mainaguri.

“We are still in shock and praying for her recovery,” the father said.

From Mainaguri, Pihu was referred to the super-specialty hospital in Jalpaiguri.

“My daughter suffered a head injury but there was no neurosurgeon at the Jalpaiguri hospital. As we came to know about it, we reached this private nursing home in Siliguri,” he said.

Rohit was initially referred to North Bengal Medical College & Hospital (NBMCH) from Jalpaiguri. He was hit by some flying material on his head.

Monojit, his cousin, said in NBMCH, doctors said he required surgery.

“But due to the non-availability of a neurosurgeon, he didn’t get proper treatment. We brought him to the nursing home where doctors conducted surgery on Sunday night,” he said.

Monojit said Rohit’s parents were currently admitted to the Jalpaiguri super-speciality hospital.

“His mother is critical and surgery has been done on both her legs. The storm has left us bereft of all belongings,” said the youth.

In Jalpaiguri, health officials said that after the disaster they had provided treatment to 160 patients in a warfooting manner. The treatment continued throughout the night and a section of the patients were later released.

Kalyan Khan, the hospital superintendent, said they had engaged additional doctors and nursing staff who were brought from NBMCH.

“As of now, 56 patients are under treatment. All of them are in stable condition,” said Khan.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and governor C.V. Ananda Bose appreciated the role of the medics and paramedics.

“They have performed their duty properly. We should thank all of them for handling the crisis and for timely intervention,” Mamata said.