Palasbari, March 22: A fierce storm that hit on the night of March 16 wreaked havoc in various areas of Rani, located on the outskirts of Guwahati, leaving many residents without power even days later.

The storm severely disrupted electricity services as numerous power poles and transmission lines were either damaged or completely destroyed in several locations. Additionally, the Jarasal Reserved Forest suffered significant destruction, with many trees uprooted.

At the Nalapara Range Forest Office, a large teak tree fell in the vicinity, narrowly missing the forest staff present at that moment.

Unfortunately, the only government vehicle utilized by the personnel, a Maruti van, was heavily damaged.

Since March 17, teams from the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) have been working tirelessly to restore power.

Within two days, electricity was restored to approximately 75% of the affected areas. However, regions such as Tanganpara, Garopara, and extensive parts of Joypur remain without power.

Consequently, residents in these areas have endured darkness for five consecutive days.

Local inhabitants have called on the Power department to hasten restoration efforts, voicing concerns about the heightened risk of wild elephant encounters due to the lack of electricity, as the area is known for frequent elephant activity.

The storm had a profound impact on villages near the Meghalaya border, including Puran Sukurboriya, Belguri, Nalapara, Secha, Tanganpara, Thengapara, Challi, Joypur, and Garopara, along with nearby locations like Berigaon, Balapur, Loharghat, Kulsi, and Borduwar Tea Estate.

Numerous homes were either damaged or completely destroyed, and the uprooting of trees led to significant disruptions.