IMPHAL, April 22: At least eight people were injured and scores rendered homeless following heavy thunderstorm which hit the State at various places on Friday.
Around 3:20pm today, a lightning struck the Tangkhul Nagalong Ground gallery in Ukhrul injuring two persons. The gallery was also razed to the ground.
The injured have been identified as Thanshok Rumthao, son of (L) Zainganot Rumthao of Alungtang and Mayami Sarudang son of Ngachonmi Sarudang of Nambisha/Ramphoi.
Although both are stated to be out of danger, doctors attended to Mayami Sarudang have referred him to Imphal for further treatment.
They were watching a football game at the ongoing Faith Trust tournament at TNL Ground when the lightning struck the gallery, the source added.
Ukhrul ADC members have donated Rs 30,000, while Faith Trust donated another Rs 5000 for further treatment of Mayami, informed sources.
In Thoubal district, six persons were injured in a thunderstorm at Nongmaikhong village where more than 200 houses were damaged.
The injured have been identified as Salam Sangit Singh son of S Amudon Singh, Salam Bibi Singh, son of S Manibabu Singh, Salam ongbi Ibempishak Devi wife of S Manibabu Singh, Salam Inaocha Singh son of S Chaosana Singh, Salam Sadananda Singh son of S Sangit Singh (Moirang Hospital) and N Kunjabihari Singh of Khordak.
S Sadananda Singh was brought to Moirang Hospital.
Strong thunderstorms were also reported at Kakching, Mayeng Lamjao, Langmeidong, Hiyanglam, Wabagai, Laphupat Tera etc.
A 15 year old boy was also admitted at the Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) after he was hit by a sudden lightning this morning around 8.45 at Wangjing Sorokhaibam Leikai, Thoubal district.
The boy is identified as Heikrujam Amarjit, 15 son of H Radhakumar of the same locality.
Reports said Amarjit was cutting bamboo at the corner of his residence’s garden when a fierce lighting struck him, leaving him badly injured.
Heavy rains accompanied by hailstorms lashed Tamenglong district this morning.
Atleast 10 houses were damaged by the hails, some weighing around 200gms at Sibilong under Nungba Police Station and 30 houses were damaged by the hailstorms at Gokoklong(Oklong) under Nungba Police Station this morning at around 7 am.
Four domesticated pigs were also killed by the Hailstone at Okoklong.
Many houses were blown away in several parts of the district, sources said.
However there is no report of human casualty.
Details are still awaited from the far flung interior villages.
The thunderstorm hit many other places in the early hours of the morning when most people were still asleep. Many trees fell or were uprooted along the inter village roads in almost every district, blocking traffic and causing long hours of traffic snarls.
In the absence of the government’s prompt response, residents took the initiative and cut the fallen trees, lopped off branches and dragged these aside to enable the traffic to resume.
The heavy hailstone were damaged the house roof tins, standing crops and injured many domestic animals.
From Our Correspondent
BISHNUPUR, April 22: At least three houses and seven residential premises were devastated by a flash lightning at Kwakta Sandong in Bishnupur district today around 3.35 pm.
One of the three damaged houses belongs to Member of Kwakta Gram Panchayat Ward No 7 T Sobha. The other two belong to Th Premjit son of Late Th Ibobi and L Shyam, 47 son of L Thoiba.
The impact of the lightning was so strong that roofing sheets covering the three houses were scattered.
Members of the houses whose premises were damaged in the lighting are taking shelter in neighbourhood houses.
