Seven injured, hundreds affected by storm

SHILLONG, APR 5: Nearly five hundred people were affected and seven people injured by a ‘cyclonic storm’ that hit several localities in the city and its suburbs on Tuesday afternoon. The wind lashed through the streets and houses leaving a trail of destructions.

According to officials, the seven persons who sustained minor injuries were immediately shifted to hospitals for medical attention.

For the first time in Shillong cyclonic storm has caused natural disaster of Tuesday’s magnitude.

The unexpected storm accompanied by strong wind struck the areas falling under Pynthor – Demseiniong, Umpling and Nongpathaw under Sohiong constituency at around 2 pm.

“Over 150 families have been affected while 7 persons sustained minor injuries in the incident of natural calamity,” East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar said here.

He informed a total of 350 persons from 87 families including a school building in Pynthor-Demseiniong area were affected when the strong wind blew away the roofs of their houses. The roof and sidewalls of two classrooms of the St Nanak Secondary School, Pynthor was uprooted and damaged by the strong wind.

Four persons were injured and were taken to NEIGHRIMS for receiving first aid, he said.

In Umling area, a total of 51 families were affected while three person sustained minor injuries and another 13 families from Nongpathaw were also affected. It is also learnt that the roof of a church in Mawmyrshiang under the area was also blown away.

According to the deputy commissioner, the roofs of all most all the houses were blown away.  “We are giving immediate relief to the affected families by providing tarpaulins besides rations and blankets,” Dkhar said.

Stating that Umling area is the worst affected by the storm, he said that 60 tarpaulins are being provided besides packed foods and water and blankets to the affected families.

Meanwhile, electricity poles and trees were also uprooted by the strong wind.

“The forest department has immediately removed the trees while the MeECL has also immediately turned off the power to ensure there is no untoward incidents took place,” he said.

While the damaged is yet to be estimated however it runs into lakhs of rupees, and a complete assessment is still being worked out by the concerned authority.

“The BDO have been directed to submit the assessment report on the damage caused by the calamity,” he said while informing that compensation will accordingly be provided to all the affected families.- By Our Reporter