Over 300 houses destroyed in CCpur storm
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, May 04, 2013: Three days after a destructive windstorm hit the district, it has been now evident that no part of the district was spared by the spell of triple storms with latest reports indicating that houses destroyed by the storm would be well beyond 300. On the night of May 1 a strong gale hit the district and a day later, on May 3, a another spell of hailstorm again hit the district causing immense devastation, much more than it was initially assumed.

Addressing the Press at his chamber, ADC Chairman Langkhanpau Guite said over 74 houses were destroyed and at least 69 of them beyond redemption in New Lamka's Khominthang area alone.

The Chairman said 23 houses were destroyed in V Munhoi village, another 4 in Kanan Veng, 34 at New Lamka, 28 at Rengkai, 18 at Lungthul in Thanlon sub-division, 3 in P Sezol under Henglep sub-division along with the community hall, 7 in Suangpek also in Thanlon sub-division, 3 in Kotlian, 12 in Senvon and 11 in Parvachawm both located under Tipaimukh sub-division, 25 or so in Saikot area, 13 in Mission Veng, 14 in Saiton area, 31 in B Vengnom area including a Sunday School and a school at New Boljang, 9 totally and 15 partially damaged at Zenhang Lamka area and a Church at Pherzawl in Tipaimukh sub-division.

He also said that 5 schools; Thenmol JB School, Seilal Veng JB School, Lhangmol JB school, Tuithapi JB School, and Sanglel JB School all run by the ADC were damaged by the triple storms but nevertheless cited that flouting of construction quality norms as one of the main reason for the damage.

�Most of the schools have no iron rods on the pillar or has no pillar at all.

The pillar portion were just coloured in a fashion that it appears to be an authentic pillar but without a proper pillar there,' he said adding it would be pertinent for all those involved in constructing such building to hold a soul searching and that similar practices were not repeated in future.

He however did not mention any form of penalty that will be initiated against the contractors that flouted the construction norms.

Data available with the District Disaster Management Committee indicated that about 150 houses were completely devastated while about two times the number to be partially damaged.

The number however would continue to increase as reports from some interior area were still awaited.

Three relief camps were set-up to accommodate the families whose belonging are completely shattered.

Two of the camps are located at Khominthang with the local MDC and Executive Member ADC and incharge of Education M Gouzamang Guite bearing all the burden of running the camp.

Another camp was set-up at B Vengnom by MDC Khaipao.

At PT Sports complex, one of the relief camps that housed about 31 families 23 year-old mother of one slept on a hostel bed her leg bandaged for the wound she received while trying to flee from her falling house.

Recalling her ordeal she said she was cooking when the hailstorm struck early yesterday.

Suddenly their houses collapsed and its roof blown-off.

While trying to escape, the cooking oil she had heated to fry her morning meal pour-on her leg causing her immense injury.

It was only after the intervention of the local MDC that she was taken to hospital for treatment.

�The loss we have suffered made me numb and careless; I could not afford to care myself.

All my concern was for my baby boy who turned one and a half years old.

He has fever and how on earth could I care to get myself admitted at the hospital,' she told The Sangai Express today.

When asked about her future plans, all she could said was �I don't know.' Her husband a daily labourer she said was working to assemble something their family could restart their life with out of the rumble from from their devastated and rented house.

She was treated of her wound today with the insistence of the local MDC.

When contacted the MDC also in-charge of Education said he has rope in the services of SSPP, the Paite Students' Welfare Association to help the victims out but will bear all the expenses himself.

He said he had instructed the SSPP to collect the data of all those kids in the relief camps who lost their text book and assured that he will arrange a new set of books for all of them.

�The calamity is beyond our control but I want my people to be assured that I will left no stone unturned to restore their life and education with whatever means that was available before me,' he said with a matter of serenity.

The eldest son of Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Khanthang Tonsing and his sister have also conducted a spot visit of about a hundred houses destroyed by the storm yesterday and bearing the heavy rain.

The Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson the district disaster management committee Jacintha Lazarus is out of stationed attending a training course at Mussourie but we are trying our best to fill the gap and present a reasonable response to the calamity, said an official.

It is also learnt that MLAs from the district including TN Haokip, Vungzagin Valte and Ginsuanhau have rushed to their respective constituencies along with relief materials.

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