Heavy rain, hailstorm hit Manipur; several houses, crops damaged

SEveral houses, structures, and standing crops were damaged as a force with heavily rain down and come swept crossways parts of Manipur on Sunday, disrupting power supply in multiple areas.The storm, which began on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, destroyed many standing crops, including cabbage, peas, and beans, in Bishnupur and Kakching districts.No human casualties were reported, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday.Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has directed officials to take necessary measures.“In view of the heavy rains and hailstorms affecting several parts of the state, strict directions have been issued to concerned officials to take immediate measures to mitigate the impact on affected families and communities,” Khemchand wrote in a post on X.Also Read: Tornado kills 2, injures 17, damages 100 houses in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj | Watch“Relief teams have been activated to ensure timely assistance and access to essential needs. The Government stands firmly with every affected citizen and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” he added.Houses in Moirang Phiwangbam and Thanga-Ngaram localities near Loktak Lake in Manipur’s Bishnupur district have been severely damaged, residents said.Many parts of Bishnupur district, where the largest freshwater lake Loktak is located, including roads, villages, and paddy fields, were swathed in a white carpet on Sunday afternoon after a sudden 30-minute hailstorm at around 1 pm.Similar incidents were also reported from Tentha area in Thoubal district, Sekmaijin in Kakching district, and Champu Kangpok, a floating village on Loktak Lake, on Sunday.Jiribam, located in the westernmost part of the state and bordering Assam’s Cachar district, witnessed intense rainfall unlike the rest of the state, according to data provided by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).Jiribam recorded 176.2 mm of rainfall on Sunday, while Imphal Airport recorded 15.3 mm.In a public advisory issued on Sunday, district authorities asked farmers and those working outdoors to remain alert and take necessary precautions, advising them to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rain. The public was also advised not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.The advisory urged residents to prepare an emergency kit with essential items and to stay away from flood- or landslide-prone areas. People were also advised to secure loose objects around their homes and report any emergencies to the district authorities.