Windstorms leave a trail of destruction
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 19 2016: Wind-storms and hailstorms that lashed the State today morning around 7 left a trail of destruction at different parts of the State.

The storms damaged many houses and structures at different villages under Sekmai Assembly Constituency of Imphal West district.

20 houses were damaged in Kanglatongbi Tispari Ward no 16/6 and 10 houses were partially damaged in Hatikhuwa ward no 16/1 of Kanglatongbi areas.

Villagers said that the local elected leader and the SDO Sekmai North visited the sites and assured to give assistance to the affected families.

As an immediate step to provide help, villagers have set up a relief camp at Tispari School where members of 26 households whose houses were damaged have been provided relief measures.

Windstorms leave a trail of destruction

Numerous houses in Sek-mai area also collapsed due to the storm.

It was reported that more than 30 households were affected by the storm.

A neighbouring village of Sekmai (in Khurkhul area) was said to be worst hit as more than 100 households were wrecked by the storm.

In Leimakhong Ex-Serviceman Colony which comes under Khurkhul Gram Pan-chayat, five houses were damaged.

Report has been received that six houses were severely damaged while others were partially damaged in Kanto.

Surrounding villages of Khurkhul which include Kanto Sabal, Chingmang, Prem Nagar, Kanto Shanti-pur, Kanto Awang Leikai and Makha Leikai, Nongthombam market and surrounding areas also sustained major damages as reported by villagers.

Pradhan of Khurkhul Gram Panchayat Khangem-bam (O) Dhanabati stated villagers are terribly shaken after the storm as many houses were ravaged.

She recalled that the Jan 4 earthquake had damaged many structures in the area and the storm today morning has again left a trail of destruction in the area.

She urged the authorities concerned to extend aid to the calamity hit villagers.

At Irengbam and Oinam of Bishnupur district, many houses were ravaged by the storm that was accompanied by hail.

MLA of Oinam Assembly Constituency Dr I Ibohalbi said that 260 houses were damaged in Irengbam area and 200 houses in Oinam were destroyed by the storm.

At Awang Potsangbam Khullen, Imphal West, several houses including the locality's power transformer collapsed due to the storm today morning.

According to a statement issued by Brighter Club, Awang Potsangbam Khullen, the newly constructed house of Pheiroijam Ibohal Singh, the houses of Khwairakpam Jiban, Khoirom Bijoy, Maisnam Sunita, Khundongbam Inaoken, Nahakpam Dadachou, Morpham Koireng, Maibam Sabi, Khundongbam Muhindro, Nongthombam Biren, Maisnam Ibomcha, Abungcha, Ngangom Biramani and the shop owned by Oinam Babu were severely damaged by the storm.

Besides, the electric transformer at Potshangbam Khullen Maning Leikai also collapsed.

The club strongly urged the authority concerned to look into the matter and do the needful at the earliest.

Large scale damage of houses, collapse of electric poles etc were reported in Thamnapokpi, Sanasabi, Yaingangpokpi, Sabungkhok Khunou areas of Imphal East district.

A motor workshop at Yaingangpokpi, the residences of Laishram Lokendro, Kh Ibohal, Th Manaoton of Thamnapokpi, a community hall and Thamnapokpi Primary school were ravaged by the devastating storm.

The front structure (sangoi) of Mongjam Konungjao at Yumnam Khunou was razed to the ground besides destroying various other properties.

Properties worth about Rs 80,000 of the locality were devastated by the storm, according to a statement.

At the same time, pointing out that the storm this morning damaged many properties at villages within Pungdongbam GP, pradhan of Pungdongbam GP, Prem Meetei urged the authority concerned to look into the matter urgently.

Meanwhile, three 132 KV double circuit suspension towers of Yurembam-Yaingangpokpi 132 KV second circuit at location No 73/2, 73/3 and 73/5 at Sabungkhok and Yaingangpokpi village under Imphal East district collapsed during the cyclonic storm today morning.

According to a statement issued by the MSPDCL, the power supply of 132/33 KV sub-station at Yaingangpokpi and Kongba is however not affected as power is fed through the first circuit and may continue so till the repairing of the fallen towers are completed which may take 2/3 weeks time.