NONGSTOIN: A thunder squall accompanied by a hailstorm lashed Nongkhlaw area of West Khasi Hills on Saturday and Sunday damaging houses and affecting as many as 22 villages.
Two houses belonging to Patsidora Shangrit and Phimly K. Dewsaw were badly damaged by the hailstorm.
Reports received from the BDO’s office at Nongstoin confirmed that the villages affected are Nongkhlaw, Marshiangbai, Dom Myntong, Nonglwai, Nongkdait, Dirang, Mawlieh, Nongkohniang, Domshohksoin, Umnongpund, Sohparu, Mawduh, Mawthir, Mawdiangkper, Lawshnong, Nongkyndang, Nongkyllang, Mawpaier, Nongkhupar, New Nongkyllang, Nongkyllang and Nongpliang.
An official from the BDO office, Nongstoin rushed to the spot on Monday to assess the damages caused by the squall and hailstorm.
No casualty has been reported so far.
Meanwhile, the UDP Mawkyrwat Circle has asked the State government to provide immediate relief to the victims affected by the hailstorm.
The regional party stated that residents of Mawkyrwat (Shiliang Um) were severely affected by the natural calamity on Sunday night.
Commander Shangpliang, chairman of Special Development Committee, UDP Mawkyrwat Circle, in a statement, said hailstones destroyed most of the houses at Mawthawdpah, Laitlawsnai, Nonglynkin and other adjoining areas.
“The hailstones punched holes on the roof tops and destroyed vegetation. In such crisis, the people should be given immediate relief,” Shangpliang added.