CM assures swift process as victims rue 'slow-paced' aid
Government starts field survey assess livestock killed by hailstorm
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 07 2024: Chief minister N Biren met with hailstorm-affected families of Konthoujam, Lamsang and Patsoi assembly constituencies on Tuesday.

During his visit, he engaged with the victims, assessing the situation first-hand and listening to their grievances.

However, amidst the government s efforts to extend assistance, some affected families, especially those compelled to seek refuge in safer locations and unable to afford repair costs, expressed disappointment over what they perceived as slow-paced aid distribution.

Konthoujam MLA and health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, Patsoi MLA Sapam Kunjakeshwar, Imphal West DC Thokchom Kirankumar, and other officials accompanied the chief minister during the visit.

Interacting with the affected families, Biren assured them of government assistance in repairing their damaged homes and urged the families to submit detailed reports along with relevant documents to the District Collectors (DCs), Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs), and Sub-Divisional Commissioners (SDCs) concerned for swift processing of aid.

Earlier on Monday, CM Biren said that at least 15,425 houses were damaged by heavy rains accompanied by intense hailstorm which lashed many parts of the state on Sunday afternoon and a fund amounting Rs 6.9 crore from the disaster relief fund has been released for initial relief assistance to affected families.

According to the CM, Sunday's rain and hailstorm caused widespread damages across the state with total of 42 relief camps set up for the affected families as of Monday.

As per report available with the government till Monday afternoon, Sunday's hailstorm badly damaged 15,425 houses while relevant officials particularly DCs and SDCs/SDOs are still collecting data of damaged houses and properties.

In April month too, several houses in some parts of the state including in the hills were damaged by hailstorm though not substantial, Biren said adding that around 4999 houses were damaged in the earlier hailstorm.

In the aftermath of Sunday 's devastating hailstorm, distressing tales emerge from the affected families, shedding light on the disparate impacts felt across the society.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle, one family revealed the contrasting realities experienced by those with varying financial capabilities in the face of such adversity.

For those fortunate enough to possess the means, their individual response was swift - damaged roofing sheets were promptly replaced, and repairs initiated to restore normalcy tQ their homes.

However, a starkly different narrative unfolds for the economically disadvantaged families, whose financial constraints render them unable to afford the necessary repairs.

Left grappling with the aftermath of the storm, these vulnerable households find themselves in a precarious situation, unable to shield themselves from the elements due to the lack of adequate shelter.

In a plea for assistance, these marginalised families expressed their desperation for aid, emphasising the pressing need for swift government intervention reminding the profound impact of natural disasters on the most vulnerable segments of society.

Moreover, amidst the looming spectre of uncertain weather conditions, there is a palpable sense of urgency for immediate assistance from the authorities.

With the potential for further adverse weather events looming on the horizon, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as any delay in providing assistance would only exacerbate the suffering endured by these families, a victim told this daily.

On the other hand, addressing the media on Tuesday, DC Thoubal A Subhash provided an update on the situation, revealing that 962 individuals from 237 affected families within the district have sought shelter in 12 relief camps.

With the latest assessments indicating damage to approximately 815 households in the wake of Sunday's hailstorm, the district administration is mobilising resources to address the pressing needs of the affected populace.

Urging affected families to expedite the submission of reports along with requisite documents by Wednesday, DC Subhash emphasised the importance of swift action in facilitating assistance.

To streamline the process, field staff have been deployed to conduct on-site assessments and document the extent of damages incurred.

In an immediate response to alleviate the suffering of those affected, the district administration has distributed 200 tarpaulins through local clubs and PRI members.

Looking ahead, efforts are underway to provide more substantial assistance in the form of roofing sheets, following a comprehensive assessment of the damages incurred, he said.

Following the widespread hailstorm that swept through the state, farmers in Toubul, Khoijuman, Kwasiphai, Naranseina, Phubala, Su-nusiphai, and various other areas within Bishnupur district find themselves grappling with substantial crop damage, exacerbating the already dire situation caused by losses to their homes and infrastructure.

Reports from other affected districts echo similar sentiments, highlighting the widespread impact of the natural disaster on agricultural livelihoods.

In the wake of these devastating losses, farmers are pinning their hopes on government assistance to help them recover and rebuild.

Meanwhile, the state government on Tuesday carried out field surveys to assess damages caused to livestock and poultry farms by the severe hailstorm that hit the state on May 5 .

Amid civil society and farmers' organisations urging the authorities concerned to provide financial assistance, teams of officials started spot surveys to collect damage reports for providing relief materials and compensation under the directive of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services director Dr RK Kho-gendrajit.

The director informed that the hailstorm has caused severe damage to the Central Poultry Farm at Khumbong in Imphal West district, which has five sheds housing around 1000 birds.

The survey came after the All Manipur Poultry Development Association (AMP-DA) urged the government to assist the poultry farmers who faced the wrath of the windstorm and hailstorm.

The president of the Association RK Surchandra on Tuesday took stock of the poultry farmers in the Imphal East district who have been affected by the unprecedented natural calamity.

The AMPDA representatives reportedly came across farms with completely uprooted roofs and partly damaged by the storms during the inspection visits in Keirao, Langdum and Angtha areas where thousands of poultry birds estimated to worth over Rs 20 lakh perished in the violent storm of May 5 .

The AMPDA president also appealed to the government to make special arrangements to provide relief and compensation to the affected poultry farmers.

Further, he asked the farmers whose poultry farms were damaged by the hailstorm to apply for relief measures and compensation from authorities concerned.

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