A severe hailstorm wreaked havoc across various parts of Manipur on Sunday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Houses, vehicles, and crops bore the brunt of the hailstones, which accumulated in thick white blankets across many areas. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh swiftly pledged repairs to the damaged houses, aiming to alleviate the plight of affected residents.
The hailstorm struck the Imphal valley around 1:30 pm, catching many off guard and causing widespread devastation. Vegetable and fruit farms suffered extensive damage, with crops completely ruined and seasonal fruits like mangoes bearing the brunt of the onslaught. Commuters on two-wheelers in Imphal West district faced perilous conditions, sustaining head injuries as the hailstorm pelted down relentlessly.
In addition to agricultural losses, numerous houses in various parts of the state, including Canchipur and Tera in Imphal West, bore the impact of the storm, with hailstones piercing tin roofs and causing structural damage. Strong winds accompanying the hailstorm exacerbated the situation, toppling hutments and uprooting trees across many areas. Parked four-wheelers were not spared either, with the hailstones causing cracks in windshields and other damages.
Assuring swift action, Chief Minister N Biren Singh called for affected residents to submit photographs of their damaged houses to their respective deputy commissioners for immediate repair. Responding to this directive, deputy commissioners of all districts issued notices, urging residents to seek assistance from their local authorities.
Dr Tourangbam Brajakumar, Director of Manipur's Environment and Climate Change Department clarified that the unseasonal rainfall was due to a storm and not indicative of climate change. He highlighted Tamenglong district's record rainfall of 21.6 mm between 2 pm and 3 pm on Sunday, shedding light on the meteorological factors behind the sudden onset of severe weather conditions in the region.
