Storm destroys houses

SHILLONG, MAY 10: At least 34 houses were destroyed at Nongrah and Mawlynrei on the outskirts of the city during an hour-long cyclonic storm that struck the area on Thursday night. However, there was no report of any casualty in the incident.

Talking to ohmeghalaya.com, Nongthymmai legislator Jemino Mawthoh, who visited the affected areas in Nongrah since it falls under his constituency, said has been overseeing relief operation since last night. “I have been here right from the 10:30 p.m. last night to ensure relief materials reach the victims at the earliest. Since we live in a natural calamity-prone area, we must be prepared to tackle such situations,” he said.

The worse-effected person in the areas was Kiron Pyngrope, a dry fish-seller, who lost a huge stockpile of fish worth Rs 15 lakhs in the storm.

Fifteen houses were uprooted in Mawlynrei under Mawrenkning Assembly constituency. Local MLA David Nongrum said that he has been providing relief materials to the affected persons.

This is the third cyclonic storm to strike the state in about a month. Exactly about a week back on May 2 a person was killed, 25 others injured and hundreds of families were rendered homeless in the West Khasi Hills district in a storm. And on April 10, three persons died and 50 others were injured in a similar incident. (By Our Reporter)