Shillong, June 16: A person was killed and over 2,700 people in 79 villages were affected due to rain-related incidents in the state in the past 9 days.
Executive Director of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) Matsiewdor War Nongbri told reporters that the districts affected by natural calamities due to heavy rainfall, cyclone, lightning strike, landslide, mudslide and fire incident include North Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, West Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi.
“The number of villages affected was 79 and the population affected is 2,777, human life loss is 1, lightning strike 1, animal deaths 3 and houses damaged 186. This information is based on FIRs that are filed under the respective districts,” she said.
“However, the full assessment will be made by the deputy commissioners through the respective officers and based on that a detailed report will be sent by the deputy commissioners to the revenue department post which the revenue department takes up for giving relief to the people as per the SDRF norms of 2022-2023,” Nongbri said.
She said one death had occurred in Ri Bhoi District. “Actually, this person fell from the culvert and drowned. Then the local people recovered his body and handed it over to the police. Only FIR has been lodged and we are yet to receive the full detailed report from the DC,” she said.
As the southwest monsoon started in Meghalaya, Nongbri said, “We have an average rainfall as of now it is 354.9mm. This is with effect from June 1 till date. This is as per IMD. So far, all the districts have been kept on high alert. They have been instructed to take immediate and necessary actions whenever required. The districts have issued advisories to the general public to be alert and to be cautious.”
Nongbri said red alert and warning have also been issued by the IMD to three districts – East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills.
“In the last two days, we have disseminated about 8.9 lakh alerts in the first day and in the second day 8.67 lakh alerts,” she said.
Alert notification is also being sent through the mobile Sachet App.
“The IMD also issues district wise weather warning bulletins. As per latest one, we can see that on June 17 and 18, we will have very heavy rainfall in South Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, South West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills,” she said.
Nongbri urged the people to download the Sachet App to know the updates and details of any weather conditions.
