Ranchi: Over 300 houses were damaged and several persons were injured under the impact of Cyclone Hudhud as heavy rains accompanied by strong winds lashed parts of Jharkhand where more rains were predicted. At least four persons were injured and around 80 houses damaged in Chaibasa, the headquarter of West Singhbhum district, and its surrounding areas.
Gitilader village bore the brunt of the cyclone as 72 houses, mostly kuchcha ones, were damaged and their roof blown away as strong wind accompanied by heavy rains lashed the area last night, Chaibasa SDO Asim Kispota said.
Four persons have also sustained injuries and they were taken to Sadar Hospital, Kispota told PTI.
Six houses in Kariasindri and four houses in Dara villages were also damaged, he said adding that several trees and electricity polls were uprooted affecting power supply.
District officials visited the villages.
Senior weather scientist of Birsa Agriculture University A Wadood said, “The cyclone which has moved to Chhattisgarh, is now moving north-easterly. This will more rains in Jharkhand in the next 24 hours.”
In Ramgarh district, 23 hutments at Koramba and Nawadih panchayats collapsed under the peripheral impact of Hudhud, Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Abu Imran said.
Some people have taken shelter at a relief camp and relief materials were distributed to them, he said adding the Mines Rescue Station at Ramgarh was asked to remain alert.
A report from Hazaribagh said, more than 200 villagers of Chouparan block and Barhi sub-division were rendered homeless as their houses were damaged, Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Sunil Kumar said.
“I have sent two teams to start relief operations and shift the homeless villagers to Anganbari buildings and schools,” he said adding separate teams were sent to assess exact loss.
Stating that a few people suffered injuries due to wall collapse, the DC said directions were issued to pay compensation and distribute relief materials to the people affected by the rains.
He said all the schools would remain closed tomorrow as a precautionary measure.
Power supply was disrupted at several places in Hazaribagh following lightning strikes.
Chandil SDO Nandkishore Gupta said the water level in Chandil dam, where eight sluice gates were opened on Saturday to make space for fresh water to be caused by the rainfall was reported to be one meter below the danger mark of 179 metres.
Only one gate of the dam was opened today following the release of water, Gupta added.
