Severe hailstorms leave trail of destruction at CCpur; more than 80 houses damaged
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, April 02 2019: Severe hailstorms lashed various parts of Churachandpur since last night causing widespread destruction with power supplies cut off and sending people scurrying for safe shelter.

A strong windstorm reportedly swept across several villages located along the Khuga Dam at about 2.30 am today while another bout of windstorm again hit the district at about 3 pm.

Both the windstorms were accompanied by hail at several areas and left a trail of destruction.

At Mata and its adjoining villages of Tangmual, Bohlui, Sehken, Sumtuk, Saipum etc located in close proximity with Khuga Dam, more than 80 houses were destroyed by the hailstorm early today.

Maximum damage was reported from Mata where at least two people were reportedly injured by falling brick wall.

Sixty year-old Chingvung, mother of Jangsiam, a PHED Chowkidar at Mata village and her daughter-in-law Ngailoumawi (38) suffered injuries as the brick wall of their (quarter) came crumbling down amidst the hailstorm.

Both the mother and daughter-in-law are being treated at the district hospital here with multiple fractures, sources said.

People of the village said that the hailstorm sent many of them scurrying for shelter in dark as it blew off many residential roofs and rained hails inside their houses.

While some sought help, others rushed out to help, they said.

A villager recalled that he walked through ankle deep hailstones while reaching out to his family.

Last-night hailstorm, which draped the district in white, has brought back memories of a similar incident witnessed in the town's eastern flank in May 2013 .

Traces of early morning hail stones were still visible in some areas even in the evening.

The early morning storm damaged at least 60 houses in Mata village alone, while the number for Lingsiphai stands at 5, 4 each in Tangmual and Bohlui, 7 at Sehken.

The number of houses damaged at Sumtuk, Saipum and other villages were not known at the time of filing this report.

There have been some unconfirmed reports of damage in Singngat area also.

The most visible impact was seen in town area where a big tree along the road near the Churachandpur Police Station uprooted in the storm and fell sending the traffic in a tizzy for quite some time.

The tree partially hit a moving car and a diesel auto, snapped power lines but no one was injured.

The local administration immediately swung into action to cut the tree with power saw and clear the debris from the road.

A power station at New Lamka area was also reported to have been hit by the storm but the extent of damage is not known yet.

The ADC Chairman T Paukhanlian and local ADC member Kamkholal along with representative from Agriculture Minister V Hangkhanlian have reportedly visited some of the affected villages today and handed over relief materials including tin sheets, said a source.

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