North Balasore experienced a severe hailstorm yesterday causing damage to crops and property and injuring at least 20 people. Properties worth of crores of rupees have been damaged and as at least 20 people in Remuna area sustained hailstorm injuries.

Either they were in the agriculture fields or on their way to their homes when they encountered the nature’s blow. The injured patients while received first aid some of them are admitted in the local health care centre.

Those admitted, in community health centre at Remuna, with hail pallets injuries were Sukanti Singh, 33, Jemamani Das, 55, Sarbeswar Jena, 22, Brajamohan Pradha, 81, Babuli Singh 26, Karunakar Sethi, 30, Mayadhar Rout,60 and Ramakanta Rout, 45.

The storm uprooted trees and electric poles snapping power supply in several areas. Rabi crop fields were damaged. The power supply of Balasore town and its periphery was restored after about 8 hours but rural areas are still without power.

The fury of the hail storm is experienced mainly in the Remuna area and its adjacent patches including Nilgiri and three blocks , Betnati, Badasahi and Baisinga of Mayurbhanj district. The worst effected pockets are Badapal, Mandarpur and Hatiagand of Remuna block of Balasore district.

Similar loss and damages are witnessed in Baisinga, Betnati and Badasahi blocks of Mayurbhanj district. Death of two cattle, one each from Remuna and Badasahi, due to lightening strike too reported.

“ Remuna block is known as vegetable bowl of the district . Farmers here grow varieties of vegetables pulses and fruits in the bank of river Sono and Budhabalanga due to rich fertility of soil. Besides local consumption , the produces are exported to different places. A massive damage including to the dwelling houses took place last night” said villagers.

The district administration said that that the appropriate steps after assessing the damage. “ The concerned block development officers and tehsildars have been asked to submit reports of loss and damages attributed to the calamity of their respective areas after making field visit,” said the additional district magistrate, Balasore, Manas Ranjan Padhi.