SHILLONG, May 4 - Under the impact of cyclone Fani, Meghalaya witnessed incessant rainfall throughout the day today, accompanied by high winds.
The roads were deserted with most people remaining indoors. Most schools and offices were closed as it was a Saturday.
There are reports of trees getting uprooted at many places and hoardings and glowsigns getting blown away at several locations in the State capital. However, there are no reports of any casualties so far.
The Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) has said that a team of the National Disaster Response Force is already in the State to tackle any emergency.
All districts have been instructed by the MSDMA to activate their emergency operation centres and incident response teams, if required.
An advisory to the general public has been issued to take precautions and ensure safekeeping of all objects like lumber piles, loose tin sheets, loose bricks, garbage cans, signboards, etc., which may be blown away by strong winds.
According to Meteorological department reports received till 2.30 pm on Saturday, Barapani (Umiam) received 33.6 mm of rainfall, accompanied by wind at 10 knots, Shillong 58.4 mm of rainfall with wind blowing at three knots, and Cherrapunjee or Sohra receiving 91.4 mm of rainfall.
The Meteorological department has warned that the State would continue to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong winds, till tomorrow morning. The intensity of the rainfall and wind is likely to decrease by Sunday evening.
