Rs 6.9 cr released to aid hailstorm-hit families
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 06 2024: Chief minister N Biren Singh has 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.

Addressing media persons at the CM's Bungalow on Monday, CM Biren described as unprecedented heavy rain and intense hailstorm which hit almost all parts of the state on Sunday.

Such natural disaster amidst the crucial period the state has been passing through exactly corresponds to the Meetei proverbial saying 'Lu Kokpada Len Taba', Biren said adding that government shares suffering of the affected families.

According to CM Biren, Sunday's rain and hailstorm caused wide-spread 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.

The chief minister further informed media persons that Sunday's windstorm and hailstorm damaged 6,053 houses in Imphal West district, 5,600 houses in Imphal East, 1179 houses in Bishnupur district, 800 houses in Thoubal, 120 houses in Kakching, 200 houses in Ukhrul, 130 houses in Tamenglong district, 120 houses in Noney, 100 houses in Kamjong, 580 houses in Churachandpur, 292 houses in Kangpokpi, 16 houses in Chandel and 275 houses in Tengnoupal district.

Repairing of damaged houses particularly roofs have started with available iron sheets from local markets and affected families are being provided rations through DCs, Biren added.

While informing that the government has taken up steps to check arbitrary hiking of prices of essential goods including roofing sheets amidst the present suffering and crucial period, the chief minister said CAF & PD department had already issued an order not to hike prices of goods from the rate prevailing till April 30 with similar orders issued by DCs of many districts.

He appealed wholesalers not to hike prices of essential commodities while cautioning that shop owners may face trouble when government takes up punitive action against price hike.

Further informing media persons that Rs 50 lakh each under SDRF had been sanctioned to DCs of five valley districts and Rs 40 lakh each for hill districts, the chief minister said the state government will try to receive more fund relating to natural calamity from the Centre.

The heavy rain accompanied by hailstorm on Sunday affected power lines at several places but government has been working round the clock to restore power lines, Biren said and appealed to the people to have patience while repair works are carried out.

He also appealed to the people affected by the hailstorm to contact grievance cell mobile numbers already made public by the government or contact 'CM Da Haisi' mobile number in case of emergency.

According to CM Biren, Sunday's hailstorm damaged several vehicles, livestock, crops and others and state government is trying to collect a data to compensate for the damages as per SDRF norms.

"The state sustained massive damage inyesterday's hailstorm.

Further assessment is going on.

So far, 15,425 houses have been severely damaged.

Imphal West district is worst affected with 6,053 houses being damaged," Biren said.

In some places, strong winds blew away the hutments, while in other places, hails left holes on tin roofs, the chief minister said.

He said surveys were still underway to assess the extent of the damage along with assuring that the government will try to compensate the losses of livestock and vegetables incurred by farmers.

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