Hailstorm in Manipur kills one, destroys over 175 houses

Thoubal (Manipur), Apr 2(ANI): Unseasonal heavy rain accompanied by hailstorm over the past one week have killed a schoolgirl and destroyed over 175 houses in Manipur.

Heavy rains and hailstorm, which have been sweeping the state since last Saturday, created havoc in districts of Bishenpur, Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West.

A third standard student of the Gouro Thambal Memorial Academy in Lilong Arapti, Imphal East district, was killed when the school's building collapsed on Thursday.

According to reports, yesterday's storm led to the collapse of the school's tin roof, when classes were in process.

"Around 2.30 p.m., the sudden storm took place. In that storm, rain as well hailstones accompanied the storm. ... when we tried to rescue the children, they could not come out because of the hailstones. Even the teachers couldn't intervene. In that process, the school building was blown off and razed to the ground," said Sarat Singh, Vice Principal of the Gouro Thambal Academy.

The sudden collapse of the building also caused minor injuries to around 60 students of the school.

Meanwhile, the affected areas in Thoubal district were inspected by District Deputy Commissioner R. K. Dinesh Singh and a local legislator Y. Surchandra Singh on Friday.

"We have got reports of around 175 plus houses being destroyed, but we will be conducting a detailed survey within two days and can give you the accurate figure after that," Dinesh Singh said.

"We are estimating the number of causalities and number of houses, which are damaged, and accordingly we will decide on the quantum which is to be given to them immediately," he added. (ANI)