Morung Express News
Ukhrul | October 25
Strong winds and thunderstorms hit Manipur and several other North-East States have forced organizers to call off the last two days of the North East Autumn Festival.
The seven-day festival kicked off on October 20 at Jorcheng, Lunghar village under Ukhrul District, and was scheduled to go on till October 26. However, owing to unforeseen damages at the festival site caused by the Cyclone Sitrang, the festival was cut short on Tuesday.
The cyclonic storm began in the early hours of October 24 cutting off power supply to most parts of the district, and has continued even today.
Announcing the cancellation, members of Chiko Adventures informed that the main festival stage and stalls have been irreparable damaged by the storm.
Shangcham Shangjam, one of the members, had earlier expressed hope that the weather forecast appeared favourable on the last day of the festival (October 26). “But after inspecting the site and assessing damages, we are saddened to say that we have to cancel the entire festival,” he told this newspaper.
“This Cyclone does not impact our festival alone but also the livelihood of the people of Manipur. We share this burden with the families who have lost their loved ones, livelihoods, crops and other resources to this natural calamity,” the group stated in a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon.
It further appreciated the support it has received so far. “We hope we can come back again and give this festival another chance,” it added.
Meanwhile, the group expressed solidarity with the families of the two persons from Poi Village who were reportedly washed away at Tholiru river and have since been missing.
