68 houses, four schools damaged in SWKH district
Our Bureau
SHILLONG/MAWKYRWAT, March 28: A powerful cyclone accompanied by a hailstorm struck South West Khasi Hills early Saturday morning, leaving in its wake 68 houses and four schools damaged, while a separate hailstorm in East Khasi Hills turned landscapes white without causing any reported damage.
In South West Khasi Hills, the storm hit between 4 am and 5 am, affecting 323 people across 26 villages in Mawkyrwat Block and two villages in Ranikor Block.
High-velocity winds blew off rooftops and uprooted trees, which crashed into residential structures.
The four schools that sustained major damage are Mawphanrang LP School, Laitlawsnai RC LP School, Umdohlun COG Secondary School and Rymmang Secondary School.
The most affected villages include Manad, Mawbidong, Mawjarain, Nongbah Marshillong, Nongnam, and Nongbrei-Nongdom.
It may be mentioned that officials are currently assessing the extent of the loss, and the number of damaged households is expected to increase.
Meanwhile, in East Khasi Hills, a sudden hailstorm struck Sohrarim and Mawmihthied.
Although the hail covered the roadside like a layer of snow, authorities confirmed there were no reports of loss to crops or property.
An official stated that the situation appears under control, with assessment currently under way to determine the full extent of the impact.
The weather event drew tourists who stopped to photograph the scene as temperatures dropped. Images and videos of the hail-covered landscape also circulated widely on social media.
