SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has launched relief efforts following the havoc caused by incessant rain and hailstorms across seven districts of the state on Monday.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has mobilised concerned authorities and departments to provide aid to the affected populace in light of the significant damage incurred by the districts due to heavy rain and gusty winds.
“Amidst relentless downpour across the state and hailstorm in some locations of Meghalaya, I am in constant touch with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and concerned District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) for swift action,” Sangma wrote in a recent post on a micro-blogging website, on May 6.
Under the relief measures, District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been directed to distribute urgent relief materials to affected households.
Reports indicate that 483 houses, along with schools and church buildings, have suffered damage, with 10 additional villages bearing the brunt of relentless rainfall on Monday.
Kyrmen Shylla, the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, expressed his concern over the havoc wrought by the turbulent weather.
Detailing the extent of destruction, Shylla disclosed that 400 individuals in Eastern West Khasi Hills, 200 in West Khasi Hills, and 159 in South West Khasi Hills districts have been affected by nature’s fury.
However, he reassured that no casualties had been reported thus far, with the State Disaster Response Force remaining on high alert.
Furthermore, the government has allocated Rs 20 lakh to each Deputy Commissioner for immediate disbursal to affected individuals during emergencies.
Meanwhile, in East Khasi Hills, 30 families across three Community & Rural Development (C&RD) blocks—Mawryngkneng, Mawphlang, and Mawkynrew—have borne the brunt of the calamity.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner SC Sadhu affirmed swift action, with affected individuals receiving CGI sheets within 24 hours.
Additionally, efforts are underway to identify vulnerable electric poles and landslide-prone areas in collaboration with the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
