A cyclone killed at least five residents and injured hundreds more in India on Sunday afternoon.

The deadly wind slammed into homes causing severe damage in the Jalpaiguri district of northern West Bengal at around 3.30 pm local time.

Officials said the storm caused devastation across an area of four square miles. Officials said that as many as 170 injured people were admitted at Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital. Around 200 more were rushed to a hospital in Maynaguri and around 100 were being treated at Barnesh health centre.

Similar storms hit some parts of adjacent Aliupurduar and Cooch Behar districts as well but no casualties were reported.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that two injured people are in critical condition.

He added: 'The administration is on the spot and providing the necessary help. The government is doing everything possible to help the victims.

'The administration shall stand by the needy people. We are aware of the damage that has happened. The biggest damage that has happened is the loss of lives.

'The doctors, nurses and hospital workers are working well to manage the situation. The rescue operations are already over.'

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the storm was caused by a 'cyclonic circulation' over northeast Assam and a north-south trough running from east Bihar to north Bay of Bengal.

They reported that isolated to scattered rainfall or snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lighting are very likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Muzaffarabad Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand until April 6.

At the nearby Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Assam, a roof collapsed due to the torrential weather while passengers were waiting for their flights.

Airport officials blamed the incident on strong winds and an overflowing outlet pipe. They said there were no injuries.

The adverse weather conditions also led to the diversion of at least six flights, officials said.