Five villages hit by cyclone

SHILLONG, APR 8: Severe cyclone accompanied by hailstones struck five villages under Umsning C&RD Block in  Ri-Bhoi District on Tuesday damaging several houses and growing crops at in the paddy field.

The five villages which were affected by the unprecedented cyclone storm and hailstones included Umdiker, Mawser, Wahlangkhar, Umshorshor and Lum Mynri village which are located at a distance of 9 km from Umsning in Ri-Bhoi District.

Donbor Nongrang, a local resident of Umdiker village, told this reporter that the cyclonic storm and hailstones ravaged in the area at around 2 pm.

“Hailstones accompanied with strong winds hit Umdiker village and other adjoining villages in the area, damaging several houses and other growing crops in the field. The total numbers of houses and crops destroyed by cyclonic storm and hailstones is yet to be ascertained” Nongrang said.

Nongrang also informed that hailstones of the size of cricket balls were littered all around Umdiker village and adjoining villages leading to damages of houses and crops in the field.

Nongrang also revealed that his own houses covered with CIG sheet was also damaged after the hailstones hit for half an hour which was accompanied by cyclonic storm.- By Our Reporter