Strong winds and hailstorm have damaged houses and infrastructure across Nagaland, with multiple districts affected and more thunderstorms forecast till March 21.
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DIMAPUR — Strong winds accompanied by rain and hailstorm over the past few days have caused damage to houses and infrastructure across several districts of Nagaland, affecting dozens of families, even as authorities warned of continued thunderstorms and gusty winds across the state till March 21.
According to a press release issued by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) on Tuesday, multiple districts have reported damage to residential structures, public infrastructure and utilities, with more reports still being compiled from the ground.
In Chümoukedima district, as per the District Situation Report (DSR), approximately 31 families have been affected due to windstorm incidents reported from multiple locations, including Piphema, Sovima and surrounding villages. Houses have sustained varying degrees of damage, including severely and partially damaged kutcha and pucca structures, along with damage to attached structures. Infrastructure such as electric poles and community assets have also been affected.
No casualties or injuries have been reported in the district. Assessment of crop damage and evacuation details is currently underway, and relief measures are being initiated. In addition, further damage to houses and shops has been reported from Piphema and nearby areas, while more reports are awaited from different parts of the district, it said.
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In Peren district, as per DSR, 15 families and one Primary Health Centre have been affected due to flash flood and related incidents triggered by the weather conditions. Houses have sustained damage, including three fully damaged, eight severely damaged and four partially damaged structures.
Reports from Pehlan village under Ahthibung subdivision indicate additional damage to houses, while incidents have also been reported from New Jalukie village and Ngwalwa circle. Further reports from other subdivisions are awaited.
In Mokokchung district, preliminary reports received from ADC Mangkolemba indicate damage caused by the windstorm, while detailed reports are being compiled through the District Situation Report.
In Wokha district, damage reports have been received from the Bhandari and Baghty areas, with detailed assessment still awaited.
In Zunheboto district, the quarter of a nurse adjacent to the Community Health Centre at Akuluto was damaged due to strong winds, the NSDMA said.
In Tuensang district, damage has been reported from Longkhim subdivision, Tuensang town (Phingjang area) and Trumzong area, where houses sustained damage due to the storm.
Further, in Niuland district, damage has been reported from Yeveto village.
In Mon district, Government Middle School Totok Chingha sustained damage due to heavy storm and rain. The roofing of five classrooms and the mid-day meal storage room were damaged, and food grains meant for the mid-day meal programme were affected, disrupting normal school functioning.
The NSDMA said it is closely monitoring the situation, adding that more reports from affected districts are awaited.
More storms ahead
Meanwhile, the authority has issued a weather alert warning of unsettled conditions across Nagaland from Tuesday to March 21.
According to the advisory, most districts are likely to experience frequent thunderstorms, lightning and light to moderate rainfall during this period, with isolated heavy rainfall expected in some areas, particularly in Longleng district on Tuesday.
Weather activity is expected to be more intense on March 18, with conditions gradually improving in some areas from March 20 onwards.
Strong surface winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph are likely in isolated places, particularly on March 17 and the 18th, in districts including Peren, Dimapur, Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Mokokchung, Tuensang and Kiphire. These gusty winds may cause damage to temporary structures, uproot trees or branches and disrupt power supply and transportation.
Widespread thunderstorm activity is expected in districts such as Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung, Mon, Tuensang, Zunheboto and Peren throughout the forecast period.
Some districts, including Kiphire, Phek and Zunheboto, may see improvement in weather conditions towards March 20 and the 21st, while cloudy to overcast skies are expected intermittently in Kohima, Wokha, Niuland and Tseminyu.
The NSDMA has advised residents to remain cautious, avoid open areas during lightning and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during the period of adverse weather.