Tura, April 17: As many as 140 houses have been destroyed by s powerful thunder squall that hit Tura and Rongram region during Friday night with one man admitted to hospital in critical condition after being hit by fallen objects when his house was damaged at Rangira gittim in Tura.
The power of the storm was such that tin sheets were blown off roofs, golf size hail punctured tin and thatch roofs and destroyed standing crops and winds uprooted electrical posts and large trees that fell on homes destroying them.
“As many as 140 houses have been damaged affecting a population of 500 people. We are providing general relief and assistance to the families. House damage will be compensated as per SDRF norms,” an official statement from the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh mentioned.
The storm knocked out power lines and Tura was left in darkness throughout the night. Even by late Saturday some areas were still yet to get power restoration because of extensive damage.
According to DC Ram Singh, homes destroyed or damaged in Tura vicinity were recorded in Bolsal A’chik, Nikwatgre, Rangira Gittim, Kombe Gittim and Gongadamal.
In Rongram block homes were destroyed in the villages of Bokmagre, Waram Songma, Aguragre, Lower Danagre, Megapgre, Uregre, Watregre, Soragre and Botegre.
ALERT SOUNDED: DC Ram Singh has issued an alert warning of more possible thunderstorm in Garo Hills within the next 24 hours.
“Stay away from doors and windows. Get out of water bodies, unplug electrical devices and DO NOT take shelter under trees which are prone to lightning strikes,” warned the DC.
