Post News Network
Chhendipada, May 4: Normal life came to a halt and 16 families were rendered homeless after thunderstorm accompanied by hailstorm and lightning lashed Ghada village and several other parts of this block in Angul district Monday.
Large trees were uprooted and seen lying on the road at several places, disrupting traffic in the area and snapping power lines. A large amount of vegetable crops and mangoes were also destroyed in the area.
The gusty winds blew away roofs of several houses and razed walls rendering 16 families homeless in Ghada village under Similipal panchayat of the block.
The destruction was particularly severe in the village as uprooted trees severed all communication lines to the village.
The affected villagers were Tapan Nayak, Jhagdu Nayak, Sarba Nayak, Sebananda Dehuri, Narayan Penthoi, Subei Penthoi, Goutam Penthoi, Pahala Penthoi, Malia Penthoi, Sankhali Penthoi, Madhav Penthoi, Bana Penthoi, Prasant Penthoi, Bhakta Penthoi, Pandav Penthoi and Arat Penthoi.
The incident happened at about 2 pm when heavy winds accompanied by lighting and hailstorms brought normal life to a halt in the area.
The destruction continued for over an hour before collapsing with the sun shining again on the western horizon. However, by then the thunderstorm had already caused much damage in the area.
The wind blew away roofs of several houses and mud walls were soaked in rain rendering the residents homeless.
Left with no option, the homeless took shelter on verandah of Ghada Sevashram School. However, they had no access to food or clean drinking water. All of their paddy stocks and other belongings were damaged during the calamity.
A villager Sunyabasi Sahu in Patrapada Betali Sahi lost one of his bullocks after lightning struck it during the period.