Storm devastates numerous houses; villagers cry for Govt aid
Power supply likely to be restored today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 23 2015 : Many houses in the hill areas of the State were devastated by the violent storm that lashed the State yesterday.

The storm had also snapped power supply line in many parts of the State and sources from the Power Department informed that normal supply of power will resume from tomorrow.

Kangchup Chiru village, about 19 kms from Imphal under Saitu A/C of Senapati district was completely devastated by the storm yesterday.

About 24 houses out of 90 of the village were destroyed in the storm rendering numerous people homeless.

Vegetable farms along with banana and other seasonal fruit farms were ruined by the storm.

Numerous vegetation and a large number of trees in and around the village were uprooted by the rain storm which blew at a speed of about 80 km/hr as recorded by the ICAR.

A house with its roof blown away during the tempest on April 22 evening

Many electric poles were also uprooted causing disturbance to power supply in Kangchup area.

General secretary of Kangchup Chiru Youth Club, MS Athar said that the village has about 90 households of which 24 of them have been completely destroyed.

Many of the families are now homeless taking shelter in neighbouring areas.

Household appliances and goods including TV and other materials worth about Rs 20 lakh have been destroyed by the storm yesterday, he added.

Chairman of the local club, MS Angir stated that more than seven acres of farmland, where seasonal and horticultural crops like banana grow, have been ruined.

"Now the main source of the village economy is gone," he said while adding that most of the villagers are depending on the farms as their source of livelihood.

He appealed to all authorities concerned and other civil society organizations of the State to provide aid and support to the villagers of Kangchup Chiru.

Village chief of Kangchup Chiru, Akung Thanga urged the State Govt's agencies and other authorities concerned to provide immediate relief and help to the villagers.

There was no report of any human casualty in the Kangchup Chiru village.

The storm also reportedly damaged the Island Primary Health Sub-centre located at Island subdivisional headquarters, Senapati district.

It may be mentioned here that the Primary Health Sub-Centre was recently inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Manipur.

Villagers urged the authority concerned to take up necessary action at the earliest.

Keihao Village Authority reported that the heavy rainstorm damaged the UJB School and seven households was also damaged.

The village is under Saikul block of Senapati district.

The storm also wreaked havoc at Phaitol and Kaimai villages of Tousem subdivision, Tamenglong district.

Altogether, 17 houses were partly damaged while two houses were completely ravaged by the storm, according to Seilun, president of KSO (Tamenglong) .

Half of four rubber plantation farms in the area were uprooted by the storm.

Temporary relief was provided by the locals to the affected families.

At the same time, the KSO Tamenglong has urged the authorities concerned to look into the matter and provide relief to the victims at the earliest.

On the other hand, the roofs of an Anganwadi Centre located at Kakching Turel Wangma Part-V Makha Leikai and some houses at Kakching Turel Wangma Pukhri Pareng were blown off by the storm.

Some houses were also damaged at Laphupat Tera and Arong Khunou.

NNN adds: The major affected areas included Uripok, Lamphel, Bamon Leikai, Porompat, Lamsang, Leirenkabi, Taothong, Lamsang, Heibongpokpi, Nongchup Sanjenbam etc.

Many electric posts fell down thereby disrupting the traffic and also causing power cuts in most part of Imphal.

Roofs of schools and houses were also blown away by the storm, and trees were uprooted.

Many persons of the damaged families appealed to the Government to attend to their grievances and to take up remedial measures.

The rainstorm wreaked havoc in and around Imphal valley resulting in disruption of power supply.

Meanwhile General Manager-I of Manipur State Power Distribution Company Ltd informed that electric lines which were snapped by the rain storm yesterday would be restored by tomorrow.

In Chandel district, altogether 17 houses and properties worth Rs 22 lakh were reportedly damaged by yesterday's storm in 6 villages located along Myanmar border, reports our correspondent.

Two houses in D Mounnamphai villages, three houses in New Leikot village, four houses each in Khunomphai village, Sahei village and New Sajang village were destroyed during the devastating storm.

Vice-president of Moreh Block Chief Association Thongkholen Haokip has urged the State Government to extend assistance to the affected families.