Hailstorm damages 268 houses in Mizoram ...One person was injured and one cow and two hens were killed in the hailstorm

A damaged house at Hliappui village. Picture by Henry L. Khojol

Henry L. Khojol, TT, 25.04.20, Aizawl: At least 268 houses were damaged by massive hailstones in Hliappui village in east Mizoram’s Saitual district near the Manipur border, an official said on Friday.

The official said the incident occurred around 4pm on Thursday when the village was hit by heavy rain accompanied by hailstorm.

At least 189 houses were completely damaged and 79 others partially damaged by hailstones, which were the size of eggs, he said.

He said one person was injured and one cow and two hens were killed in the hailstorm.

Hliappui is a village in the newly created Saitual district, comprising 382 houses. It is located about 35km from the district headquarters Saitual and 142km from the state capital. It falls under Lengteng Assembly constituency.

Most of the residents are engaged in agriculture.

The district administration and Lengteng constituency MLA L. Lalthangmawia extended relief to the villages by providing financial assistance, tarpaulins and tin sheets.

Officials of the district administration said the Mizoram Presbyterian Church and the state rural development department would provide 200 and 100 bundles each of tin roofs to the families.

They said the village has also received financial assistance to the tune of Rs 2 lakh from public contribution and other relief from various sources.

Residents of the village and about 450 volunteers from more than 14 neighbouring villages gathered for community service to repair the damaged houses on Friday, official sources said.

The sources added that about 50 houses, which were completely damaged by hailstones, were repaired on Friday.

On April 18, nearly 200 houses were damaged in several villages across the state when heavy rain, accompanied by gusty winds, hit the hilly northeastern state.