TURA: Two powerful back to back thunderstorms with features of a cyclone lashed large parts of Garo Hills region, on Sunday afternoon and night, resulting in damage to peoples’ homes in many villages.
The first pre-monsoon thunderstorm hit Garo Hills during the day bringing in heavy rains accompanied by hail. The same night another powerful storm with similar features of a cyclone again lashed the region causing more damage as rooftops got blown away and thatched homes unable to bear the wind power collapsed.
A hail storm damaged several houses in the villages of Kenegre and Khakkija of Chokpot sub-division in south Garo Hills forcing inhabitants to seek shelter in neighbours homes or nearby school buildings. Many areas in the region were left without power throughout the night as power lines snapped during the thunderstorm.
In West Garo Hills district, damages were reported from Rongram, Dadenggre, and Gambegre block areas.
Under Rongram block damage was reported from Tebronggre, Asakgre, Jendragre and Asanang in which one house was completely destroyed while nine others sustained partial damage due to the storm.
In Dadenggre block one house was destroyed at Nengchongre village while in Gambegre block four houses from two villages sustained storm damage.
Every year, pre-monsoon thunderstorms during the months of March to May occur causing widespread damage to the region. The storms accompanied by gusty winds, hail and lightning have previously caused human and livestock deaths.