New Delhi: Storms and heavy rains that swept through the northeastern states on May 4 and 5 has destroyed hundreds of houses, affecting a large number of people.
As per news reports, nearly 400 houses were damaged in Mizoram alone. The storm was accompanied by hail, thunder and strong winds.
Quoting officials, The Mizoram Post said, “Khawzawl district in the northeastern part of the state was the hardest hit where at least 128 houses were damaged by storm.”
The report said about 68 houses in Siaklhawk village in the district were damaged by hail. The storm damaged large swathes of pineapple and orange fields. The village has been a major producer of these fruits.
The report said more than 200 houses were damaged by another storm in the state’s Lawngtlai district this past week.
A report in The Shillong Times said a cyclonic storm accompanied by heavy rainfall and hailstorm hit several villages in the East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and Eastern West Khasi Hills districts of Meghalaya on May 5 afternoon.
The report said at least 13 villages across these districts were badly affected by the storm. Chief minister Conrad Sangma said the administration has been asked to immediately provide relief to the affected people.
Heavy rain wreaked havoc in parts of Manipur and Tripura, too, on May 4. While a person has been critically injured by lightning in the state, elsewhere, several houses, schools and government buildings have been destroyed. “Many roads across Imphal city saw hailstones pile up to around one inch, affecting normal traffic,” reported The Nagaland Post, adding that chief minister N. Biren Singh has assured swift assistance to the affected people.
The state administration has circulated helpline numbers for those affected.
In Tripura, at least 20 houses were completely destroyed by the cyclonic storm in the state’s Sabroom sub-division, leaving several displaced. Besides shops built with bamboo, electric poles were also damaged affecting power supply in the area, said Tripura Times. “At least ten roads in Sabroom town are currently blocked by fallen trees, hindering movement and emergency response efforts,” said the newspaper.
Heavy rain with thunder and hail have been reported from all northeastern states and neighbouring Bangladesh.
