Hailstorm ravages homes, crops in Bishnupur
Source: The Sangai Express
Bishnupur, May 06 2024:
Yesterday's downpour accompanied by a fierce hailstorm has caused significant damage to homes, crops and properties across Bishnupur district.
In addition to destruction of homes, the storm wiped out crops of watermelon, pumpkin, bottle gourd, sponge gourd, cucumber etc collectively grown by sixty farmers in over 75 acres (30 paris) of land to the south of Sunusiphai.
The sixty farmers include many relief camp inmates and all of them were expecting monetary returns for their hardwork but a few minutes of rain, hail and thunder have crushed their hopes.
Watermelon and pumpkin farmer Laishram Andrea shared that the hailstorm has damaged the crops before they were ready for harvest.
At this juncture, Andrea has appealed the State Government to extend any possible help to the unfortunate farmers.
Meanwhile, Phubala Gram Panchayat and Ngangkhalawai Gram Panchayat were reportedly the worst affected in the district.
At Phubala GP Ward No 1, hailstones bore holes through roofing sheets of 89 houses and four houses were blown away.
Fourteen affected families have taken shelter at Phubala Awang Mandop since last night.
Altogether 140 houses were damaged at Ward No 2, Phubala GP out of which two homes were swept away by the storm.
Similarly 110 houses were affected at Ward No 3, over 90 houses at Ward No 4, 81 houses at Ward No 5, 80 houses at Ward No 6, 90 houses at Ward No 7, 100 houses at Ward No 8, 75 houses at Ward No 9 and 90 houses at Ward No 10 of Phubala GP.
The District Administration has extended immediate relief materials such as roofing sheets, rice bags, cooking oil, salt, lentils etc to the affected families at Phubala GP Ward No 1,3, 4, 5 and 6.Meanwhile, the residents of Ward No 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are reportedly yet to receive any aid.
At Ngangkhalwai GP, 46 houses were damaged at Thamnapokpi Ward No 4, 30 houses at Ward No 5 and another 30 houses at Ward No 6 .
Preparations are complete to set up a relief camp for the affected families of Thamnapokpi at Ibudhou Thangjing Laikonnung.
While some families in the district have begun repairing their houses, those with no means to afford the repairs are waiting with hope for help from the State Government.