Meghalaya: Rs 20 lakh calamity fund announced for all districts
The severe hailstorm that lashed Meghalaya last week affecting over 2,500 households has forced the government to keep Rs. 20 lakh each with the district chiefs for immediate relief in case of calamity, the Assembly was informed today. On March 30, the hailstorm lashed several districts of Meghalaya. The most severely affected districts were West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, and East Garo Hills.
Around 237 villages and 2,500 households affected in the hailstorm
As per initial reports, around 237 villages and 2,500 households have been affected in these districts, said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla while replying to a call attention motion moved by Congress MLA P T Sawkmie. While informing that there was no loss of life, the minister said, areas under Mawshynrut, Mairang, Laskein, Songsak, Rongjeng and Samanda CnRD blocks were the worst-hit.
Figures may change: Kyrmen Shylla
Shylla said, "Since assessment is still going on, the figures may change. The Revenue & Disaster Management Department is in touch with the Guwahati-based Regional Meteorological Centre and the North East Space Application Centre (NESAC) at Umiam for advanced weather forecasts."
CM Conrad Sangma convenes emergency meeting after the hailstorm
Meghalaya government has released the amount to every deputy commissioners in all 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 Shylla and his cabinet colleagues Sniawbhalang Dhar and Coming Ymbon, besides the chief secretary and other senior officers.
Meghalaya CM emergency meeting took stock of the situation
"The emergency 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.
District administrations distributed food items to over 2,500 families
The disaster management department also issued instructions to all Deputy Commissioners to make a detailed assessment of damage to dwelling houses, crops, horticulture crops, livestock and poultry and to submit reports as early as possible. The District Administration in the affected Districts and subdivisions took action by distributing food items to over 2,500 families initially for a period of three days.
