Kolkata, Sep 20 (IANS) At least 15 people were killed, many were injured and thousands rendered homeless in a severe storm that hit parts of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts.

Confirming the death toll, West Bengal Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta said the number of dead could go up. He said Rs.450 million had been sanctioned for relief work of which Rs.300 million will be for South 24 Parganas.

The storm that had been lashing the countryside since Wednesday night uprooted trees, electric poles, snapped power and decimated thousands of thatched houses, especially in South 24 Parganas where 14 people were killed.

Relief Minister Mortaja Hossain said a jetty collapsed in Haldia port area.

One person was killed when the wall collapsed in Birulia in East Midnapore district.

A boat also capsized in the Hooghly river at Nayachara in East Midnapore but none drowned, source said.