Hailstorm havoc
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 02 2013: A violent hailstorm which swept across Manipur last night left a trail of destruction with many houses and schools blown apart, and a large number of trees and electric poles snapped.

In Churachandpur the storm cut off power supply lines and reportedly shattered houses, schools and Churches.

Initial reports indicated that the windstorm which was accompanied by rain and rolling thunder, shattered at least four educational institutions, a Church and over a dozen houses in and around the township.

It also uprooted trees and electric poles, cutting off power lines and blocking numerous streets.

The exact extent of devastation however could not be ascertained as many of the victims are said to be too busy at the moment restoring their homes rather than approaching the authorities.

'We have so far only received some formal reports about the devastation but verbally heard a lot about it.

We are expecting more so to come forward in the next few days,' said an official from the SDO office.

The violent hailstorm which lasted for about an hour blown away tin roofs of around 100 houses and five schools in Moirangpurel, Itham Nongbram and surrounding areas of Andro AC in Imphal East district.

A good number of trees, bamboos and electric poles were uprooted or snapped in the middle.

Similar scenes of destruction were also seen in many parts of Thongju AC because of the hailstorm.

The destructive effect of the hailstorm were also seen in Khurai, Lamlai and Kshetrigao Assembly segments.

It left a trail of destruction in Langthabal, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, Singjamei and Patsoi ACs in Imphal West district.

Roofs of many houses were blown away and a number of trees/bamboos were either uprooted or snapped in many areas of Wangkhem, Thoubal, Kakching, Hiyanglam and Wabagai ACs of Thoubal district.

Reports of similar destructive effects of the violent storm were also received from different parts of Nambol, Oinam, Moirang and Kumbi ACs of Bishnupur district.

However, there is no report of any human casualty or death of domestic animals because of the hailstorm.

Meanwhile, Electricity Department has been working hard to re-erect and reconnect snapped electric poles and wires.

On the other hand, Andro AC MLA Th Shyamkumar has appealed to relevant Government authorities to extend all possible assistance in repairing the schools which were wrecked by the hailstorm last night.

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