Hailstorm, heavy shower lash Barak Valley

 From Our Correspondent

 Silchar, April 4: The Barak Valley experienced heavy shower followed by hailstorm last evening that lasted for around 45 minutes. A few roads were waterlogged for around half an hour. The people from different parts of the valley confirmed that many trees were uprooted. A few electric poles also fell down which resulted in darkness for the whole night.

 Many areas in Karimganj and Hailakandi were under darkness. Lala in Hailakandi and Badarpur in Karimganj are the worst affected. 7 hectres agricultural land in Shan Beel has been badly affected.   The people of the Electricity Department faced hard time to repair the electric lines and poles. The people of the town has been experiencing heavy shower along with hailstorm for the last two days. Roofs of many houses were affected.

 However, at the same time the torrential rain has given a sigh of relief to the people from the drought which has affected the agriculture land. Lack of rain also hit the tea production.

 The Tea Association of India earlier had informed that tea production would decline from January to mid-March this year because of adverse weather condition.

 The Meteorological Department predicted heavy storm along with shower in the next couple of days.

 “Rain is much required at this point of time. People are facing lots of problem due to water scarcity during this dry season. In rural areas, the wells and water bodies got dry. People need to walk miles every day to fetch water. So, the rain is heartily welcomed,” said Amardeep Chakraborty, a citizen of the town.  Madhumita Acharjee, a lecturer in Karimganj Law College, said, “It has been too hot and rain is need of the hour. But, rain with storm affects the normal life as it devastates electricity lines and poles. We are so much dependent on power that if it goes off for one day, the life becomes very difficult. And during examition season, the electricity is must.”