SHILLONG, April 5 - The severe hailstorm that lashed Meghalaya last week affecting over 2,500 households, has forced the government to sanction Rs 20 lakh each to Deputy Commissioners of districts for immediate relief in case of calamity, the State Assembly was informed today.
�On March 30, a severe hailstorm lashed several districts of the State. The most severely affected districts were West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and East Garo Hills. As per initial reports, a total of 237 villages have been affected in these districts. Around 2,500 households have been affected,� Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla said while replying to a call attention motion moved by Congress MLA PT Sawkmie.
While informing that there was no loss of life, the minister said areas under Mawshynrut, Mairang, Laskein, Songsak, Rongjeng and Samanda C&RD blocks were the worst hit. Since assessment is still going on, the figures may change, he said.
He also said the Revenue & Disaster Management department is in touch with the Guwahati-based Regional Meteorological Centre and North East Space Application Centre (NESAC) at Umiam for advanced weather forecasts.
The State Government has also released an amount of Rs 20 lakh to each Deputy Commissioner of the districts so they can meet immediate needs for relief in case of such a calamity, he said.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma also convened an emergency meeting the next day which was attended by some Cabinet colleagues, besides the Chief Secretary and other senior officers.
The meeting took stock of the situation and decided to take immediate action to extend relief and other necessary assistance to the victims of the natural calamity in the form of gratuitous relief, tarpaulins and CGI sheets, Shylla said.
The department also issued instructions to all Deputy Commissioners to make detailed assessment of damage to dwelling houses, crops, horticulture crops, livestock and poultry and submit reports as early as possible. � PTI
