Strong wind snaps, uproots electric lines, HT towers, houses, shops Many left roofless, Govt assistance sought

OSR/Correspondents
IMP/TBL/KPI/NONEY, Apr 24 : A fierce storm swept through the State around 2.30 this afternoon causing widespread damage to electric lines, HT towers, as well as properties including hundreds of houses and shops. The extent of damages wreaked is yet to be minutely calculated.
A statement issued by Kh Davidkumar Singh, Deputy General Manager, Manipur State Power Company Limited has informed that power supply will not be available in Kakching, Churachand-pur, Moreh, Chandel, and Elangkhangpokpi areas for some time as a result.  
Notably, three HT towers of 400 KV PGCI (Yurembam) to Thoubal collapsed during the storm while two HT towers of the same line suffered structural damage. In addition, 132 KV Thoubal-Kakching D/C line suffered damages at several places. The restoration of the damaged towers and power lines will take time, said MSPCL.
The strong wind substantially damaged 16 structures including the Church at Chongdam village in Kamjong district under Kasom Khullen sub-division.
At Khoirok Chiru village under Kangpokpi district and Dolang Chiru village under Noney district, the storm was accompanied by massive egg-sized hailstones and fierce winds which wreaked havoc on roughly 150 houses. As a result, the residents have been left without a roof over their heads.
Chief of Dolang Chiru village has informed that many horticulture farms, large trees and grain storage units were also damaged in the storm.
Calls have been raised for the authority concerned to extend timely assistance to the affected people.
Meanwhile, the storm triggered a landslide at Phalong village under Tamenglong district and blocked the movement of vehicles in  the region.
At Thoubal, the storm swept away numerous homes and outhouses in different areas.
Fifteen houses were swept away at Lisamalok village under Wangkhem Assembly Constituency. The houses 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 Wungrei-ngam.
Similarly, the storm destroyed the homes of Yum- lembam Nanao and Yum- nam Tiken Singh at Nong-pok Sekmai.
Small shops set up along the National Highway at Waithou were also devastated by the rainstorm. Meanwhile, at Waithou Toronglaobi, the storm swept away Wangkhem Syamkanhai's shop.
The storm blew away the roofing sheets of District Police Outpost at Waithou and the Waithou Meira paibi shed along with shops on either side of the road.
It is reported that Yambem Girls Hostel Relief Camp at Yairipok Yambem, Santipur under Andro AC suffered significant destruction, including the kitchen, the loom storage area and others. The affected people have called for the State Government's assistance in this regard.
Similar scenes were also witnessed at Top Chingtha and Ningthounai.
The storm broke out around 4.30 pm at Jiribam uprooting trees and blocking the road at six different spots along NH-37 thereby cutting off the highway for a short period.
Similar road blockades due to uprooted trees, destruction of homes, outhouses and shops were reported from many localities of Jiribam. Today's storm has been reported to be the most destructive in Jiribam district for this year.
The storm which lasted for about 10/15 minutes also uprooted many large trees and snapped power lines along Imphal-Yairipok Road at Bamon Kampu under Imphal East district. This caused inconveniences to commuters and the trees were later removed with the help of an excavator.
The storm also blew away roofing sheets from numerous houses at Thongju, Kshetrigao, Khurai, Keirao, Yaiskul, Wangkhei, Andro and Lamlai AC.
Accompanied by hailstones at Bishnupur district, the storm uprooted trees at Maibam Lokpa Ching along the Imphal-Churachandpur Road and caused structural damages to houses at Nambol, Oinam and other areas under Bishnupur AC. The hailstones made holes in the roofing sheets while the fierce winds blew the sheets away to a distance of 100/200 metres.
Sections of the Friday Market located at Leimapokpam under Nambol AC also collapsed as a result of the storm.
Under Imphal West district, the hailstorm caused destruction to houses, uprooted trees and snapped power lines at Wangoi, Langthabal, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa and areas under Mayang Imphal AC.