Sanjay Goyal, Commissioner and Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management department, informed Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday held a review meeting as the state prepares for landslides and heavy rains this monsoon season.
Talking to mediapersons, Goyal said the state disaster management team is on high alert as the frequent interaction with the Deputy Commissioners who are the Chairman of the respective District Disaster Management Authorities are being held as the monsoon rainfall lashes Meghalaya.
“We are in touch with the Deputy Commissioners continuously and our team on the field are on highest alert. We are in position to handle any kind of event which is happening,” the Commissioner and Secretary said.
All the deputy commissioners are holding the district level coordination committee meetings for better coordination.
Giving a detail of the disaster caused due to the incessant rainfall for the last 30 hours, Goyal said that there were reports of minor landslides in four districts of Ri-Bhoi , Eastern West , West Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills, due to recent rains.
“The Chief Minister has reviewed it today morning with all the districts. The report, which we have as of now and we are continuously updating them, is that four districts We have got the reports of some landslides like in Ri Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi hills and west Garo Hills,” Goyal said.
“In Selsala block one of the villages we got the information that there is water inundation and in Tura town some of the locations like Dobasipara and all we have experienced minor landslides,” he added.
Efforts are underway to clear affected roads in different areas. In Shillong, fallen trees have disrupted power lines, with restoration expected by evening.
“We have been involving the officers from the PWD department, officers from forest department to clear it. There are certain cases of felling of the trees also. Even in Shillong also in Golflink area we had problem because a major tree has fallen on the power lines in Lumjinshai. There is no report of lives or animal lives; there are some cases of damage to some kachcha houses,” the official said.
There are no reports of casualties or significant animal losses, though some minor property damage has occurred, and relief measures are being implemented.
“we are taking steps to give them relief. We are in touch with the Deputy Commissioners continuously and our team on the field are on highest alert we are in position to handle any kind of event which are happening,” he added
Goyal said with heavy rains predicted for the next four to five days, the state is prepared, following detailed meetings led by the Chief Minister to ensure readiness and continuous coordination at the district level.