GUWAHATI, March 18 - A storm lashed Guwahati last night at around 9 pm, leaving a trail of destruction.
A 19-year-old youth was burnt alive when a garage at Sonapur caught fire following a short-circuit during the storm, police said.
Reports of trees and electric poles being uprooted and damage to houses and other infrastructure were reported from various parts of the city. Commuters were left stranded at several places during the calamity. Vehicular traffic was greatly affected.
A huge tree got uprooted near GMCH, blocking the road for several hours till it was cleared. A portion of the roof of the Fishfed office was also blown away by strong winds.
Prolonged power cuts were reported from many areas due to damage in poles and other distribution infrastructure.
Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu said a good number of trees were uprooted. �Road blocks were reported in at least 10 places. But we have cleared them now. No major damage has been reported. Power supply has also been restored,� he said.
The Kamrup Metro administration has formed a committee to assess and evaluate the storm damage and various claims of damage to private and public property.
�It has been reported by various agencies and public that a good number of houses, public facilities like electric poles were damaged by the storm. A number of trees were uprooted. The district disaster management authority and circle officers have been asked to assess the damage within a week,� an official statement said.
People have been advised to approach the circle office for any assistance.
Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre at Borjhar has issued a �watch� for thundersquall likely at isolated places over Morigaon, Sonitpur, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Cachar, Karimganj, Dhubri, Baksa, Kamrup and Kamrup Metro.
The Kamrup Metro DC said a general storm alert will remain for the entire month.
