Imphal: Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and hailstorms swept through Manipur on Sunday, affecting a total of 15,425 houses across the state.
During a media briefing on Monday evening at his official residence, Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated that adequate relief has been provided to the affected people, with 42 relief camps set up to shelter the affected families. These relief camps are supervised by the DCs and SDOs.
“The hailstorm on Sunday severely damaged around 15,425 houses, and we have taken immediate measures through the concerned deputy commissioners,” said the Chief Minister.
He also announced that the state government has sanctioned Rs 6.90 crore from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for both hill and valley districts to provide immediate relief assistance.
Of the sanctioned funds, Rs 50 lakh each will be distributed to five valley districts, while Rs 40 lakh each will go to 11 hill districts.
According to an assessment report by concerned authorities, chief minister N Biren Singh stated that 6,053 houses in Imphal West and 5,600 houses in Imphal East were ravaged by the hailstorm. Similarly, 1,179 houses in Bishnupur, 800 in Thoubal, 120 in Kakching, 540 in Churachandpur, 292 in Kangpokpi, 275 in Tengnoupal, 200 in Ukhrul, 130 in Tamenglong, 120 in Noney, 100 in Kamjong, and 16 in Chandel district were affected.
The state government has begun providing relief materials such as rice, water, CGI sheets, and tarpaulin to the affected families, he informed.
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Meanwhile, in response to reports of price hikes on CGI sheets/tin roofs following the sudden weather conditions, the government issued an order stating, “In view of the recent hailstorm and damages caused by it, the deputy commissioners in the state are directed to monitor the prices of CGI sheets to ensure fair pricing in the market.”
Chief minister N Biren Singh also urged shopkeepers/wholesalers of CGI sheets to maintain the prices fixed on April 30. He cautioned that legal action will be taken against sellers found hiking prices on essential items.
Additionally, the chief minister appealed to all Civil Society Organisations and individuals to extend their help to the affected people.
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