Imphal, May 14 2009: The severe cyclonic storm last night caused wide-spread destructions in both Imphal districts.

The storm blew away an uncertain number of houses and other structures and uprooted many trees in almost all parts of Imphal West and Imphal East districts.

Several persons were injured and a labourer who was working in the construction of Sewerage at Lamphel in front of RIMs Hospital died on the spot when an uprooted eucalyptus tree fell on his head during the storm last night.

The strong winds which blew over 56 km per hour plucked off and carried away the windows of the strong room in the DC office complex of Imphal West district where the control units of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) are kept and rain water entered the room evoking suspicion that the control units could have been struck with rain water.

The control units containing data of polling in 18-Konthoujam AC and 19-Patsoi AC in Imphal West district are being kept in the strong room.

Sources said, there is a big window on the western wall of the strong room.

Last night's strong winds blew off the windows leaving it wide open for rain waters to fall through.

The Returning officer of Imphal West district today wrote a letter asking the authority concerned to check whether there is any damage on the control units of the EVMs and how much rain water has been clogged up in the strong room. The strong rooms will be opened at 10 am tomorrow to check if there is any damage on the control units.

The RO asked the candidates, their election agents or any other representative authorised by the candidates to participate in the checking programme tomorrow.

However, RO, A Ibocha told this newspaper that there can't be any suspicion that the control units could have been damaged.

In the meanwhile, the speed of the storm that lashed Imphal districts had been recorded a little over 56 kms per hour, according to the Meteorology department located at Imphal Airport.

The storm which lasted about 30 minutes came from the western side and blew towards the eastern direction.

A 26 year old labourer, identified as Lairenjam Romesh from Nambol Phoijing Chingning died during the storm and a score of others sustained injuries because of the storm.

A number of electric posts had fallen and transmission lines had been snapped.

As such there has been complete black out in many parts of Imphal districts.

According to officials of the electricity department, it may take at least five days to repair the damaged posts and lines and restore normal power.

The storm had caused damage to school buildings.

Two rented houses have also been sailed down by the storm at Chingmeiron Lamkang Colony while a 12 year old lad occupant of the house was admitted to RIMS hospital after he suffered collar bone injury in the incident.

The injure occupant of the house has been identified as SK Khumsan Lamkang son of SK Jameson Lamkang originally from Lungkherlon village of Chandel district.

He is said to be living there as tenant with his elder sister SK Grace at the house of his uncle LV Joykhul.

Several instances of the storm lifting the roofs of the buildings have been reported.

Government schools and colleges have been greatly damaged by the storm.

The storm blew off the roofs of five classrooms of Ideal Girls' school at Singjamei, one of the schools in Imphal East said to have the more students.

The investigation team of the MSF lamented that the damages at the Ideal Girls' High School could have been averted had the government paid attention for the renovation and development of the school.

The investigation team convenor Lousibam Rojit said that students' casualty may happen had it occurred during the class.

The storm had caused damages to the Oriental College, Napet Palli, Chingamakha, Khagempalli, North AOC, Yurembam Government High School, and places in Nambol, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Imphal East and West districts while reports of several trees and plants being uprooted have been received.

Education Minister L Jayentakumar has instructed concerned school authority to prepare detailed reports of the damages cause by the storm.

The storm had also cause havoc to many places in Bishnupur including at Ishok where an uprooted tree destroyed two houses in the locality apart from tearing away many cattle sheds.

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