Storm hits Jorhat district

JORHAT: A cyclone-type storm lashed Assam’s Jorhat district, including Majuli island, damaged hundreds of thatched houses, uprooted trees, electric poles since the wee hours today, officials said. However, no casualty or injury was reported. The high speed winds snapped electric wires at several places severing power supply at many places, but efforts were on to restore supply, an officer of the Assam State Electricity Board said. However, these wires saved a family of eight near Khelmati on Club Road. Branches of a 100-year-old banyan tree broke by the storm but did not fall on the family’s house as the wires blocked the branches, the head of the family said. But the Jorhat Government Boys Higher Secondary School was not so lucky. A part of the school building was damaged when a huge trunk of another banyan tree fell on its roof, officials said. A temporary camp of 15 security personnel posted in the school premises where EVM Strong Room for Jorhat district was set up had a close shave, officials said adding that the strong room is safe. ASEB sub-divisional officer ASEB Robert Handique said they were working to restore electricity by repairing the damaged poles and wires in Club Road, Jorhat Medical college Hospital, Rajabari, Kokilamukh, Maloopathar, Kamalabari, Halmora areas, besides in the premises of the Assam Agricultural University and Jorhat Engineering College. (PTI