Thunderstorm wreaks havoc, disrupts power supply
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 24 2024:
The thunderstorm that swept across the state on Wednesday afternoon caused substantial damages to properties and snapped power lines in different areas.
Meanwhile, Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) has informed that power supply will not be available in Kakching, Churachandpur, Moreh, Chandel and Elangkangpokpi areas due to damage to power lines and other infrastructures by the storm.
In a release, MSPCL deputy general manager Kh David-kumar Singh informed that three HT towers of 400 KV PGCI (Yurembam) to Thoubal collapsed, while two HT towers of the same line have suffered structural damage.
Further, 132 KV Thoubal-Kakching D/C line has been damaged at several places.
The restoration of the damaged towers and line will take time, it mentioned.
Among others, tinned roofs of numerous houses were blown away by the storm at Wangoi and Malom under Imphal West district.
In Imphal East district, the storm left a trail of destruction in Chanam Sandrok and Irilbung areas, while Irilbung to Yairipok road was blocked for some time as trees uprooted by the gust of wind felled on the road.
Similarly, a hailstorm struck Jiribam district around 4:30 pm while the accompanying strong wind uprooted trees, damaged houses and outhouses and snapped power lines.
Uprooted trees affected vehicular movement along NH 37 for around an hour with many other roads remaining impassable till late evening.
In Thoubal district, roof-sheets of around 15 houses were blown away at Lisamlok village under Wangkhem assembly constituency by the storm that lashed the district from around 2:30 pm Wednesday.
The damaged properties belonged to AS Lata, AS Themreiso, AS Amo, L Winson, H James, AS Samson, S Hangpha, H Themrei, H Paiso, Ms Joseph, Sp Ningtamla, H Ningam and H Wungreingam.
Similarly, rooftops of houses of Yumlembam Nanao of Nongpok Sekmai and Yumnam Tiken Singh of Nongpok Sekmai Awang Leikai were blown away by the storm.
A shop belonging to Wangkhem Ibemhal, wife of W Syamkanhai at Waithou Toronglaobi, several stalls at Waithou along NH 102, Waithou police outpost, a meira paibi shed at Waithou and a house at Yairipok Ningthounai were also damaged in the storm.
Storm accompanied by hail also destroyed properties at Kha Sanjenbam, Leimaram, Oinam Nachou, Kha Potshangbam, Toupokpi, Upokpi, Ningthoukhong, Ishok, Wahengkhuman, Leimapokpam and Nambol Lourembam villages in Bishnupur district on Wednesday.
Many families were literally left without a roof over their head due to the storm in different parts of the district as well.
A market shed in Leimapokpam collapsed, while traffic stopped in Tiddim road for several hours because of fallen trees on the road.
The roofing sheets of many houses including bams were damaged by the hailstones and strong wind that swept from around 2:30 pm on Wednesday at Dolang Chiru village, Noney district.
According to the village chairman, many horticulture farms/orchards were also damaged by the hailstones while trees were uprooted due to impact of the strong wind.
Many dwellings in Longsai Tubung and in Gangluan Part-III Nungleiband sustained extensive damages by the hailstorm along with horticulture farms.
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