CM assesses thunderstorm damages, about 50 villages hit

Shillong, March 31: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma on Saturday said that the state government was assessing damages caused by severe rain and hailstones which hit parts of the state on Friday afternoon.

Conrad informed this to media persons after chairing an emergency meeting with his cabinet colleagues and Chief Secretary, Additiol Chief Secretary in-charge of Disaster Magement and other senior officials.

The Chief Minister informed that after initial assessment around 50 villages were found to have been affected by the hailstorm in four districts of the state.

“Initial reports suggest that four to five districts were affected. Information is being collected from other districts too,” the Chief Minister said.

According to Conrad, the districts which bore the severity of the hailstorm were West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills and North Garo Hills.

The Chief Minister also said that the deputy commissioners and block development officers have been asked to make a detailed assessment of the extent of damage for future course of action.

He also said that as per prelimiry reports, standing crops, houses and livestock were damaged in the hailstorm.

The Chief Minister has directed authorities to provide immediate temporary relief to the affected villages.

The Government is making assessment on the extent of damages to houses, crops, livestock and other properties.

“The focus of the Government is to provide maximum help to the people. All the concerned departments have been asked to attend to the needs of the people. We are working on war footing to provide temporary relief to the affected villages,” said the Chief Minister.

Conrad also said that the government will start working on an adaptation policy to reduce risks posed by the consequences of climatic changes.

Conrad said that no relief camps were required as relief materials like tarpaulin were distributed immediately to the affected families for taking shelter in their house besides providing essential commodities through the respective district administrations.

Conrad said that MLAs of the respective affected areas have also done their bid to help the affected families.

On low quality of roofing materials especially corrugated galvanised iron (CGI) sheets being provided to households in the state, the Chief Minister said that there were affected houses where the roofing sheets could be old and in dilapidated condition, and may not withstand the calamity.