Over 140 Houses Destroyed by Tropical Storms in Chin State

11 April 2012: At least more than 140 houses in Chin villages have been destroyed by a tropical storm in Thantlang and Tedim townships, Chin State but no casualties have been reported.

Yesterday, the storm hit six villages of Thantlang Township, damaging about 33 houses in Khuahrang, 20 in Thangaw, 33 in Fanthen, 6 including a Roman Catholic building in Hriangpi-A, 3 including a Baptist church under construction in Hriangpi-B and 8 including a Baptist church in Tisen.

Last Friday, over six villages in Tedim Township of Chin State were hit by another tropical storm, destroying 8 houses in Tuicinlui, 2 in Lailui, 2 schools in Ngennung, 1 school in Buan, 3 schools in Cingpikot and around 25 houses in Tuithang Village Tracts, according to the Chin World Media.

A Lautu local in Hakha town said it was the information received about the destruction as of yesterday, adding: “We are not sure about the exact numbers due to difficulties in communication.”

Sources claimed that the World Food Program (WFP) and some local NGOs are preparing to make a visit to the affected villages in an attempt to conduct damage assessments on the situation after the natural disaster in Thantlang Township.

On 30 April 2012, about 1,800 tins (1 tin = 10.5 kg) of rice stored on the farm about 2 miles away from the village were completely burnt down by a wildfire in Thangping village, Matupi Township in southern parts of Chin State.

Up to date, no reports have been made about necessary measures taken to address the ‘devastating’ humanitarian situation by the government of Chin State.

Reporting by Thawng Zel Thang
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