Hailstorm wreaks havoc in State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 28 2010: Pre-monsoon rainstorm accompanied by hail that lashed various pockets of the State since afternoon yesterday till late evening today has left a trail of massive devastation in both the valley and hill areas as several roof-tops were blown away and houses collapsed.

Reports have been received that windstorm hit hill district areas since evening yesterday.

The devastation is more severe in Senapati district areas of Saikul and Sandangsenba Maring village, Lilong under Thoubal district and Iroisemba of Imphal West.

With Saikul area being the hardest hit till filing of this report, the assembly constituency's MLA Doukhomang Khongsai apart from assessing the situation handed over financial and materials relief the affected families.

A combination of picture illustrates the scale of devastation wreaked by the hailstorm across the State

The windstorm that swept across Saikul area yesterday afternoon ravaged building of LL Henjou English School in Thangkhanphai village, beyond redemption.

However, none of the teaching staff and students numbering about 870 suffered injuries as the building collapsed shortly after conclusion of the day's monthly test examination.

The school is said to be recognised by the Government has upto class X .

according to village authority release, building of H Champai UJB School, Saikul collapsed at around 1 pm yesterday in addition to partially damaging building of Women's Weaver Cooperative Society in the same area.

Locals recounted that sudden gush of wind blew away the roof-top tins to quite a distance after which the walls fell apart.

similar devastation has been caused to the building and hostel block of SNGA Memorial English High School, located in C Aison (Hangoipat) village in the same assembly constituency.

As per comment of the school secretary Tongtinpao Tugoi study materials and clothes of the hostellers are among the loss compelling them to abandon the place.

The school with nursery to class X standard has a total of 537 students, he added.

Roof-top of a Church building in N Zilphai village and its office block has also been blown away in addition to the storm wreaking havoc to the nearby Kendit boarding School, which has 70 students.

Atleast four houses of the village, tower section of Makokching Baptist Church and some houses of Saikot village also bore the brunt of the devastating windstorm.

Devastation has also been caused to the Molkon market shed where people from about 40 nearby villages sustain their livelihood.

Having inspected gravity of the damages, MLA Doukhomang describing the situation as serious affirmed that he would approach the State Government for inclusion of Molkon Bazar reconstruction in the work programme.

The MLA also handed over 45 bundles of CI sheet and financial assistance to the affected families from his Local Area Development Fund which evoked appreciation from the Saikul Block unit of the Kuki Students' Organisation.

In the sleepy hamlet of Sandangsenba Maring village situated along the Baruni Hill ranges nearly 20 houses have been destroyed by the hailstorm while in Lilong Turel Ahanbi Dam area cycle shed, toilet and a hostel block have been wrecked.

The heavy downpour with strong wind also devastated machine and equipment storage building of Central Agricultural University's Department of Research.

Rainfall also triggered landslide in Khoupum village of Langthabal assembly segment with atleast two houses buried partially.

The destroyed structures belong to Inakhunbi Gangmei (80) and her son Kajibung with furniture items and household goods of the mother-son duo ravaged as the hill slope caved in and fell atop the houses along with a portion of retaining wall.

On the otherhand lighting split a large tree (Koubila) from top upto mid-trunk at around 9.30 am today at Kyamgei Khoirom Leikai.

Another house has been destroyed at Naoremthong Khulem Leirak with the strong wind blowing away the roof-top.

In most part of the state fall of electric poles, snapping and uprooting of tree branches and trunks are common scenes.

sources conveyed that the destruction were also caused in Chakpikarong (Chandel district), Umathel and Kakching (Thoubal) by the hailstorm.