IMPHAL, May 15 : The sudden storm that struck on Wednesday night inflicted widespread damage and loss in different parts of the state.
Apart from the property damaged, the storm claimed one life and also injured several people. Number of trees were uprooted, tin roofs of many houses were blown off besides causing major damage to the normal power supply system, which is likely to cause disruption in power supply in some parts of the state. There was a black out in the entire state for about half an hour on Wednesday.
The wind speed was recorded at 56 kmph blowing from west and the storm lasted from 9.24 to 9.32 pm Wednesday, according to the meteorology department at the Tulihal Airport.
The executive engineer of the Yurembam power sub-station, H Shantikumar Singh, revealed that the sub-station was the main source of power in Imphal city as well as some other parts of the state. An uprooted tree damaged a 33 KV double circuit line at Iroisemba which is the main source for Imphal, he said adding that the line was revived today.
The main source for Imphal east at Yaingangpokpi was revived this evening but the power supply source for Thoubal, Kakching and Chandel were not revived till Thursday, adding that a power line tower for the said places had been snapped for which a repair team had been put into service.
He further said that the reviving process of the mentioned three places would take time and temporary supply was being arranged from an alternative source in Churachandpur.
The EE also revealed that there was no longer system failure in the main bulk supply system, but there may not be power supply in some places of Imphal as reviving process for snapped wires and fallen electric poles could take time although employees had been pressed into work.
Meanwhile the superintendent engineer transmission circle in a statement also stated the state would face power irregularities following the damage to the power line of the 132KV and 33 KV.
It has been reported that a man was killed during the storm on Wednesday night at Lamphel while two persons including a minor were injured at Dewlahland and a woman at Akampat Eastern Ideal Girls High School.
Several houses of Nongmaijing Heikam village in Lamlai constituency were damaged in the storm and regarding the incident village chief, Thangbai Lhungdim told the media that five houses including their farm fruits were destroyed. Most of the people of the village were daily wage earners and the damage had put more burden on them, he said while seeking help from the government.
On the other hand, Lungim of the village whose house was blown away by the storm said last night’s incident had created fear in the children as the incident occurred while the family were sleeping.
They stayed under the bed and some held the pillars as their roof was blown off, he added.
Many sick people were there in the village and he asked for urgent help from the state government without which they would be pushed to desperation.