Imphal, March 31, 2010: Even as relief materials have been distributed to families affected by the recent events of hailstorm and other disasters, scores of houses in an Ukhrul district village were lashed by hail on March 29 night.

On the other hand, representatives of various civil society organizations assessed extent of damages caused by hailstorm in Chandel district areas.

Strong wind and hail lashed several pockets of the district destroying private houses, school buildings and standing crops.

Accompanied by media persons, the NGO representatives including that of Lamkang Naga Hoho, Lamkang Students' union and Lamkang Women's Union assessed the damage in Leingangching, New Chayang, mantri Pantha and angkhel Chayong villages.

At Riverlane, which is close to the district headquarters, the team came across substantial damage caused to eight classrooms of Oriental Academy and six hostel rooms of the educational institution.

The NGO representatives handed over seven bundles of CGI sheets as emergency relief materials for reconstruction of the school.

Another educational centre located at Angkhel Chayong village was also found to have its roof-top blown away by the strong wind that swept across the district from about 6.30 pm yesterday.

The team also witnessed hectic activities by the locals of Mantri Pantha in repairing their homes most of whom lost their roof-tops.

Village elders and local body representatives made a fervent appeal to the State Government to provide all possible assistance at the earliest.

According to our Ukhrul correspondent Addie Chiphang, Teinem village bore the brunt of the hailstorm with roof-tops of several houses blown away and a Government high school building crashing when strong winds accompanied by hail hit the village at around mid-night of March 29. Villagers have began to scout for financial and material support to reconstruct the school which used to accommodate over 175 students from Teinem and nearby villages.

Teinem village, with about 771 households is said be located at about 21 kilometres from Ukhrul district headquarters.

Most houses in the village have been partially damaged with either the roof-tops blown away or walls collapsing.

The same hailstorm caused damage to houses, a hostel and electric poles in View Land area of the district headquarters, added Chiphang.

Meanwhile, functionaries of an NGO called Meeyam Amatta Oina Punsinba Lup, Meitei Langol distributed rice and cash to distressed families who suffered damages from the recent hailstorm as well as outbreak of fire.

Among the beneficiaries were hailstorm ravaged Salam (O) Madhabi of Lairembi Leikai, Laishram Brojen of Leima Khulen, Godadhor of Aying Leikai, Shantikumar also from Aying Leikai and Nando of Leima Khulen with the first two extended assistance of Rs 3000 each and latter trio Rs 1000 each.

An amount of Rs 3000 and 150 kg of rice were also given to Haopu Khongsai whose residence at Quarter No.8-D was among eight houses ravaged by an inferno that occurred on the intervening night of March 26 and 27. As emergency relief, Adai Kabui and Th Nimai were also provided Rs 1000 each.

Houses of both individuals were partially damaged in the incident.

The relief materials distributed today were collected through donation from the residents of Langol area.

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