IMPHAL, January 4: Even as Noney area the epicentre of today’s earthquake did not appeared as devastating when compared to Imphal and other parts of the North Eastern states, atleast four people were injured when a Kachcha house collapsed here.
The victim have been identified as Meidunlung, 18, son of Kaphundapu; Gailangam, 16, son of Kapuibon; Kaningai, 18, son of Ringbon and Gaiphui, 17, son of Kakhudim. Of the total injured three are said to be in critical condition and have been evacuated to RIMS hospital Imphal.
The four were sleeping in the same room when the house collapsed on them.
“As the earth started shaking violently I heard the boys screaming from their bedrooms help us and suddenly the screaming stops”, said Pantijailiu mother of one of the victims.
Our entire family rushed to the boy’s room only to find them buried by the debris, said one shaky Pantijailiu before adding that it was a complete nightmare.
Meanwhile, uneasy calm loomed large at the Noney area as cracks had developed in the entire Noney Hill range especially from Part 1 to Part 5 Noney.
The cracks ran through houses and building damaging the foundation of school buildings, churches, houses etc at the area. Although some of the buildings withstood the 6.8 magnitude quake, their structural integrity apparently were compromised to withstand another lower scale tremor or aftershock.
“I don’t know if can sleep tonight with the condition of the house that nearly collapsed last night and the rumours of possible aftershock”, said a residence of Pongailong, Longmai Part-III.
On the other hand, half of a village in the interior part of Haochong SDC was also reportedly sunken destroying properties, food grains.
Houses are also reportedly suffered damage at Namkaolong Keikai Village, Tamei areas but there is no report of any human casualty till the time of filing of this report.
2 inches wide cracks about 10 metres long is also reportedly developed at Keikao portion between Sangrungpang and Keikao.