Bangladesh
Book Fair Nor'wester leaves book fair in a complete mess
Dhaka, April 5: The capital was suddenly hit by a storm, and several stalls of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair were destroyed. Readers and publishers were present at the book fair. On the eve of the onset of the storm, they took shelter in a shelter built on the fair grounds. Publishers and incoming buyers said the overall situation at the book fair had changed after the storm hit on Sunday (April 4) evening.
Witnesses said that as the storm intensified, many of the readers were seen taking up positions in safer places. And the stall workers continued to try their best to protect the books from the storm. Suddenly, the familiar form of the book fair became random in the wind.
They added that several stalls were partially collapsed and damaged during the incident. Among them are Behula Bangla, Babui Prakashani, Aditya Anik Prakashani and a few more stalls. Besides, the nameplates of some pavilions have been damaged due to the storm.
Imran, a visitor to the fair, said nothing could be seen due to the duststorm. "Everyone was running in the strong wind. I also went there at that time and there was no shelter next to the writer's stage. At that time I saw the people in the stall trying to cover the book. Many books flew into the air even after they were covered."
He also said that the fair was in darkness for some time during the rainy season after the storm.
A vendor of Babui Publishing said that several stalls were damaged due to the sudden gust of wind. He said that if it rains more, the book will get wet and more damage is expected.
It is to be noted that Kalbaishakhi storm has blown in different parts of the country including Dhaka. The meteorological office said that the Kalbaishakhi storm was blowing at a speed of 66 km over the capital.
