Monday, April 19, 2010

Falam gale hits homes and schools

 
Monday, 19 April 2010 21:35 Salai Htun

New Delhi (Mizzima) - A storm damaged schools, churches, government buildings and 20 houses in Burma’s mountainous western Chin State over the weekend, residents say.
The storm in the former capital of Falam started brewing at 8:30 a.m. and damaged the hospital, two high schools, two primary schools - No. 5 primary school and No. 2 primary school - a traditional culture centre and the Township Peace and Development Council office.

“Strong gusts of wind started around 8:30 a.m. and ended around 10 am. The zinc roofs of churches, schools, and offices were blown away. About 100 people were affected,” a Falam official told Mizzima.

Victims have sought refuge in relatives’ homes. The hospital and some houses damaged are being renovated under the supervision of youth from the township.

A Falam Hospital employee said: “The village cannot withstand strong winds because it’s a highland village. The gusts of wind started just after I woke up. It was frightening. Some patients in the hospital began wailing.”

The storm also hit nearby villages on May 31, damaging 12 homes. Around 40 people were affected.