Hill villages in Manipur experience hailstorm; locals hopeful for a good season ahead

Our Corespondent

Imphal, Jan. 17 (EMN): Few hill villages in Manipur, including Purul, a picturesque village in Senapati district which borders Nagaland, were swathed in white on Jan. 16 after a sudden 20-30 minutes hailstorm.

The hailstorm at Purul, Maiba, Koide and Liyai Khullen villages under Senapati started around 1.30pm, according to residents of Senapati district headquarters, 60 km north of Imphal.

Prior to this, Karong and Vakho villages (Senapati) witnessed similar weather pattern, locals confirmed when contacted. But there have been no reports of any untoward incidents of damage to life and property. The people in Senapati district believe that Sunday’s incident was a sign of blessing for a good season.

‘We have a belief that snowfall or hailstorm around January or February is a sign of a good season ahead. It also signals the ending of winter. If hailstorm comes during sprouting time, the crops will be damaged but at this time it is good’, said a resident of Vakho village

Echoing a similar sentiment, a resident of Maiba village in Senapati district, said Sunday’s incident indicates that there will be a better time in farms. On Monday, Senapati recorded a minimum temperature of 4.55 degree Celsius (against Sunday's 6.23 degree Celsius), as per Directorate of Environment and Climate Change weather report.

Few villages including Somdal in Ukhrul district also witnessed a similar intensity hailstorm with a surprise on Sunday afternoon. However, other hill districts such as Tamenglong and Churachandpur have no report of rainfall but a clear sky during the day, according to respective residents. The residents of the state capital have also been experiencing cold wind in the last two evenings.

On February 7 last year, Shirui village where the state flower Shirui Lily (Lilium Mackliniae) grows was also covered with snow after a sudden 30-minute hailstorm.