Hailstorm claims first casualty, many homeless
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 01 2010: Following the destructive trail caused by hailstorms in many parts of the State in the last couple of days, a strong hailstorm that swept across the State today left hundreds of people homeless while a student was killed as a school building was razed down at Lilong Arapti.

A hailstorm blowing tremendous force and speed tore down a building of Gouro Thambal Memorial Academy located at Arapti Mayai Leikai even as classes were being conducted inside the school at about 2.35 pm killing a student.

The unfortunate student has been identified as Konsam Roshni (9) d/o Sanathoi.

She was a class III student in the school.

Vice-Principal of the school Ng Sarat said that last periods for classes I to VIII were ending when a strong gale shook and bombarded the area with hailstones for about 15 minutes.

collapsed building of the Gouro Thambal Memorial Academy in Arapti Mayai Leikai

Efforts of teachers to block the storm by closing doors and windows went in vain.

Ultimately, the school broke down at the impact of the hailstorm.

The young student was killed as she was hit by a falling pillar of the school building, Sarat said.

The sudden collapse of the building also caused injuries to around 60 students of the school, though not seriously.

The hailstrom also caused widespread damages to houses, standing structures, vegetables and trees.

Earlier in the morning, a ferocious gale carrying hailstones that swept Phoubakchao and surrounding areas this morning left more than 50 people homeless.

The gale also caused extensive damages to school buildings in addition to dwelling houses.

To provide shelter to the people whose houses have been wrecked by the gale, a relief camp has been opened in a Madrassa at Phoubakchao Mayai Leikai.

The sweeping gale that blew in Phoubakchao area at around 10.11 am completely razed down seven houses irretrievably.

It also blew away roofs of many other houses.

More houses had their walls fallen.

Two private schools��Medina Public English School and Wiseda Academy, and an Anganwadi were also completely destroyed by the hailstorm.

Lalijan is a victim of the wreaking force of nature.

She is a widow having three sons.

She said, "Today's storm was so powerful.

I think we survive because Allah has mercy upon us".

The second house razed down by the gale belonged to one Sahabudin (35).As the wind started blowing a fury, Sahabudin's wife and their five children were preparing to have lunch in the kitchen.

"Just as we sat down to have lunch, our house crumbled under impact of the gale.

Although, we ran away in the nick of time, our two youngest children aged 11 and four could not run away.

The two children were pulled out from among the debris", Sahabudin said.

The third house belonged to Md Sanayai (35).Besides demolishing their house, Sanayai's eight year old son Azad was blown away by the storm only to be obstructed by a banana plant.

Md Abdul Samid (40) is the fourth victim of the furious wind.

The fifth, sixth and the seventh houses belonged to Hajira Bibi, Ahmad Tula and Ayub Khan respectively.

To provide temporary shelter to the unfortunate families who have been rendered homeless by the hailstorm, local clubs of Phoubakchao area have opened a relief camp.

Meanwhile, convenor of the relief camp Md Kiyamuddin has sought relief measures from the Government.

UCM finance secretary BM Yaima and IPSA representative Manoj Ahmad have taken stock of the devastation caused by the storm.

A similar gale caused extensive damages to 70 structures in Sekmaijin Khunou area of Thoubal district.

These included dwelling houses, mills, kitchens, club buildings, Meira Paibi sheds etc.

It has been reported that Khoidum Pat area also suffered some damages.

At Komlakhong (located to the South of Phoubakchao), around 28 houses were damaged.

One five year old girl suffered some injuries when a house collapsed over her.

Another forceful gale that swept across Lamding Nashikhong area this afternoon damaged six houses.

The northern extension of the Lamding Ikok Ningthou temple was completely razed down.

At least 18 structures including dwelling houses, community hall and waiting sheds were demolished at Phunal Maring village.

At Charangpat and Yairipok Phoudel too, hundreds have been rendered homeless as their houses have been swept away.

Two relief camps have been opened at Charangpat Mamang Awang Leikai community hall and Charangpat Maning Leikai Imoinu Keithel to provide shelter to the homeless people.

However, the exact number of demolished houses cannot be ascertained till the time of filing this report.

Later in the evening local MLA A Meghachandra and the Thoubal DC inspected the extent of damages wreaked by the storm.

Assuring all possible assistance to the victims, Meghachandra said that he has proposed a special package for the victims to the Chief Minister.

There is reports of many casualties caused by the hailstorm.

Oinam Thambalshang (48) w/o Kaoba of Charangpat Maning Leikai, Athokpam Thambal (55) w/o late Thonglen and Yambem Mani (48) w/o Joy have been hospitalised.

One Thounaojam Ibotombi (48) s/o Madhumangol of Yairipok Siphai Leikai sustained injuries when his roof-top was blown away by the gale.

It also caused some damages to Charangpat Government High School.