Hailstorm Hits Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills, Damages Over 120 Homes

SHILLONG: A fierce hailstorm hit a number of villages in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district on Monday, leaving much destruction and rendering residents homeless.

In initial reports sent by field officials, the storm hit more than 120 houses and a total of 264 individuals living in nine villages falling under the Laskein Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block.

The most affected village was Umsalang, where 96 houses were severely hit by the storm. Thadbamon and Mukroh were also hit, with 24 and 7 houses respectively. The torrential hail that came with the strong winds resulted in roofs being torn off and buildings partially demolished.

At least 40 other houses and one school building in six other villages—Barato, Latymphu, Maitdein, Iongkynshur, Thangrain, and Bhain—were reportedly partially damaged, according to authorities. Despite causing heavy property loss, the authorities confirmed that there were no injuries or deaths.

Four households have been temporarily displaced, taking refuge with their relatives while waiting for relief. Local officials have started ground assessments, with Block Development Office (BDO) teams conducting surveys to establish the extent of the damage.

Authorities said that a comprehensive damage assessment report will be filed after data collection was finalized. Relief operations are then anticipated to follow quickly as district administration closely monitors the situation.

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