Storm claims little boy's life
Many hurt; hudreds of houses destroyed; thousands homeless
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 20 2010: A five year-old boy was killed and five other people were injured as fierce hailstorm accompanied by heavy winds lashed most parts of the state today destroying hundreds of houses and structures apart from uprooting trees and electric poles.

A high level meeting convened by the Chief Minister, O Ibobi today reviewed the extent of damages caused by the storm in the state, and decided to provide relief to the affected families from the funds under Indira Awaj Yojana (IAY) and Disaster Management.

An official source said that the DCs of the districts will conduct the survey and submit reports at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the deceased boy, identified as Tongbram Bidheshwor (5), son of T Sanayaima of Kairenphabi Mamang Leikai, died inside his house when the whole house collapsed under the impact of the powerful storm that swept today at about 10 am.

Neighbours trying to salvage furniture of the house where the unfortunate boy died when the house collapsed

Mother of the deceased boy, Ibemcha, father Sanayaima and grandmother also sustained injuries in the tragic incident.

The mother, who is pregnant, sustained serious injuries, and has been admitted to RIMS Hospital, Lamphel.

Two other children, Naorem Surchandra (7), son of N Jadumani of Kumbi Wapokpi and Wahengbam Nganthoi (9), daughter of W Ranjit of Kumbi Santapur sustained injuries when the school, Oriental English School, they were studying in, fell down under the force of the storm that swept over some parts of Bishnupur district.

About 700 houses were destroyed by the cyclonic storm followed by hailstorm.

Around 280 houses were completely destroyed rendering the families homeless.

Some of the families were found taking shelter at the house of local MLA, N Mangi and at a community hall.

Volunteers of All India Youth Federation, Kumbi Local Council swung into action and chairperson of the Kumbi Nagar Panchayat also extended financil assistance of Rs 1,000 each to the affected families.

The storm revisited while those families whose houses had been destroyed by the repeated rainstorms that swept in the first week of this month, are yet to get relief from the authority.

Storms swept across the state and left a trail of destruction in many areas in the valley and hill districts of Manipur during the last three days.

Hundreds of houses were damaged in Thoubal, Chandel and Bishnupur districts.

Storms swept mostly in the wee hours in the past two days, but today the storm revisited in the morning around 9 am and lasted till around 11 am, leaving may houses in parts of Chandel district adjoining Thoubal district.

Independent reports collected from various parts of the region affected by the heavy storm said that not only the dwelling houses but also several government buildings were brought down, a number of electric poles including high power transmission towers fell down and trees were uprooted.

The gale, accompanied by hailstones, caused widespread damage in different parts of Bishnupur, Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal and Chandel districts.

However, there were no reports of human casualty in other parts.

Some of the houses were totally flattened while tin and thatched roofs of many houses were blown away.

With the boy killed today, the death toll in the storms this month has risen to two.

A student of Standard-III had died during heavy cyclonic storm accompanied by hails and rains when the school building collapsed.

On the other hand, Minister of MOBC and PR and RD, Md Allauddin today distributed CGI sheets to the families affected by the storm at Phunal Maring area and Kshetrigao area.