SHILLONG, March 20 � At least four persons were killed and several others injured, some critically, in a cyclonic storm that hit Meghalaya�s West Khasi Hills district in the wee hours today.
According to officials, the cyclonic storm witnessed strong wind and lightning, uprooting trees, houses and other structures in some remote hamlets of the district. Apart from the dead, more than 25 people have been injured and they were being treated in different hospitals.
�Four persons have lost their lives in the cyclonic storm,� West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner S Kharlyngdoh said over phone, adding that all assistance was being provided by the district administration to those who have been injured or were displaced by the storm.
Relief teams have been rushed to the affected areas and camps have been set up to provide emergency relief to the victims of the storm.
The district is prone to cyclonic storms as some of the villages are close to Bangladesh and any disturbances in the Bay of Bengal have its effects on these hills. Last year, during this time of the year three people died and over 50 people were injured in a cyclonic storm.
PTI adds from Aizawl: Pre-monsoon rainfall accompanied by strong squall hit many places in Mizoram last evening leaving trails of destruction in a number of places, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department sources said.
Southernmost Lawngtlai district was the hardest hit with around 50 houses damaged in Lawngtlai town and surrounding villages, the officials said.
While 12 houses were damaged in Chanmari-II locality of Lawngtlai town, 11 houses were damaged in Bungtlang South, and about 80 houses south of the town.
Power supply lines were damaged causing power failure in many villages and telecommunication was also severely affected.
