Violent storm kills three women, leaves a trail of destruction
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 15 2019: At least three people have been killed in violent storms that swept across the State between 9 am and 10 am today.

One Yengkhom Nungshitombi (56) who ran a hotel at Kakching Wairi Senapati Leikai was crushed to death as a large banyan tree fell over her hotel.

Two other women were also killed at T Munomjang village, Churachandpur as their houses collapsed at the impact of the violent storm.

At Churachandpur the sheer intensity of the wind left a trail of destruction all across the district.

Two women who were taking shelter inside a house were killed as the windstorm flattened the house made of mud and bamboo at K Salamjang village in Churachandpur's Samulamlan sub-division.

The village located about 7 kms northeast of Churachandpur PS is a part of T Munnomjang.

Trees were uprooted and electric poles were flattened to the ground at multiple locations while numerous houses were damaged in varying degrees.

The two victims are identified as Chinkholhai, 50 w/o Seikholen of K Salemjang and Nemdon, 74 w/o Ngulkhomang of Kulbung and staying K Salemjang village.

Violent storm kills three women, leaves a trail of destruction

The bodies have been handed over to their respective family after autopsy was conducted at the district hospital about 3 pm.

The windstorm has cut power supplies to the district and despite the best efforts of the department to restore it, it is said that it will take another day or two to restore power.

Meanwhile the district administration has instructed all SDOs of the 10 subdivisions in the district to submit detailed reports on loss of lives and damage to properties within their circle today itself.

Though some data have reached them, detailed figures can only be known tomorrow as the data kept coming even at the time of filing this report.

Moreover, seven students of New Model Public School, Kumbi sustained injuries as certain portions of their school were swept away by the storm.

The students are currently undergoing treatment at RIMS.

It is reported that a building of Special School of Disabled, Ithing and the roof of Kakching SDO office have been swept away by the storm.

According to information received from the Climate Change Cell of the Directorate of Environment, wind speed reached 61.2 Kms/hr in Churachandpur, 95.76 Kms/hr at Kakching, 57.7 Kms/hr in Imphal West and 97.92 Kms/hr in Bishnupur.

Meanwhile, DCs concerned have launched a survey to ascertain the extent of damages wreaked by the storms at schools which would serve as polling stations for the election to Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat.

Meanwhile a press release issued by the Manipur State Power Company Limited informed that 11 transmission towers between Kwakta and Torbung Bangla of the 132 KV Ningthoukhong to Churachandpur D/C transmission line had collapsed at the impact of cyclonic storm which swept the State this morning.

As such, normal power supply will be disrupted in the areas fed by Churachandpur, Kakching, Chandel, Moreh and Elangkhangpokpi 132/33 KV sub-stations.

Normal power supply may be resumed in 10 to 15 days time when line restoration work completes, it conveyed.

Our Jiribam correspondent adds that the cyclonic storms left a trail of destruction in Jiribam too.

A number of houses were either destroyed or damaged while the roof of Jiri Ima Keithel had been blown away.

With uprooted trees and snapped branches falling over power lines, power supply too has been cut off at different places.

According to information received from Kakching district administration, the cyclonic storm damaged over 1000 houses and 150 houses have been completely razed to the ground.

Immediate relief materials such as rice, dal, oil, tarpaulins etc have been distributed to the families of Kakching, Sora, Keirak, Hiyanglam, Wabagai, Sarik Konjil, Tokpaching, Wangoo, Kakching Khunou and Serou whose houses have been completely destroyed.

Several structures of Ibudhou Sengmai Ningthou and Nongpok Ningthou located at Pallel were also severely damaged.