Cyclone Sitrang wreaks havoc in Tml, Money; no casualty
Source: Chronicle News Service
Noney, October 25 2022:
Heavy storm accompanied by rain brought by cyclone Sitrang destroyed many houses in Tamenglong and Noney districts while normal life was badly affected in the two districts on Monday and Tuesday.
Power supply in both the district remains cut off since Monday evening as many electric poles and trees were uprooted and power lines snapped.
Rain and storm also halted paddy harvesting chores while many standing crops have been destroyed.
Landslides too occurred at many areas of the two districts.
As per a report, cyclone Sitrang damaged around 45 houses including granaries in Aling Khundong Khunkhaiba village of Tamenglong district while 20 houses were damaged in Namkaolong village of the district.
Four houses in Sempang village of the district too have been damaged while unconfirmed reports said that several houses were destroyed in Tamei and Tousem sub-divisions of the district.
The report also said that nine houses in Longsai village of Noney district were destroyed by cyclone Sitrang while 27 houses including granaries blown away in Puichi (Oktan) village.
More than 20 houses in Thingra upper and lower villages were damaged by the cyclone.
The cyclone also damaged two dwelling houses in Pungmon (Chingchen) village and one house in Nungba part-1 of the district.
Another report said that several banana and citrus farms and other horticulture plantation farms in both Noney and Tamenglong districts have been damaged by the cyclone.
However, there is no report of human casualty till the time of filing this report.
Gusty winds accompanied by incessant rains have also damaged most of the standing crops.
On the other hand, at least two deaths have been reported from Ukhrul district of Manipur.
Two women reportedly got killed after being washed away while returning home.
Meanwhile, the Northeast Autumn Festival (NEAF) 2022 in Ukhrul district has also been cancelled due to the extreme weather conditions.
The organisers said, "Because of unforeseen natural calamity 'Cyclone Sitrang' we have to cancel the last two days' event," adding that they tried their best to continue the festival.
The festival, which began on October 20 at Jorcheng, Lunghar village, was scheduled to conclude on October 26 (Wednesday).
The festival organisers also expressed their sadness at how the cyclone not just ended the festival, but also denied locals a chance to make some money.
"We share this burden with the families who lost their loved ones, livelihood, crops and other resources," said the organisers.
"We stand with the families of the two missing persons in Poi village who were washed away by the torrent rain at Tholiru river.
This is hard for all of us and we share the sorrow with the families," it added.
The NEAF organisers said they were grateful to those who supported them, and hope to return again.
The NEAF was organised by Chiko Adventures and supported by the Manipur Tourism Department to attract tourists and unlock high-quality tourism in the northeast region.