Shillong, June 18: The ongoing monsoon rains that have lashed the northeast region since June 10 have affected over 42 villages across 6 districts and claimed two lives in Meghalaya, with the West Garo Hills district being hit the hardest.
According to Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA), the South West Monsoon has destroyed more than 36 structures, including 17 houses, and caused crop damage over 4.45 hectares.
West Garo Hills has been the most severely affected district, with over 24 villages impacted and more than 2,825 people affected. Two houses were destroyed in West Garo Hills.
In East Khasi Hills, the monsoon rains from June 10 to June 17 affected one village, and one person died due to drowning. The victim, Probino Warbah (48) from Tynring, drowned on June 7, and his body was recovered on June 10 from Wah Umrynjah, Mawlai.
In East Jaiñtia Hills, one village and over 107 people were affected, with the rain destroying over 3.45 hectares of agricultural crops.
In Eastern West Khasi Hills, two villages suffered damage, with three houses affected and five people impacted by the monsoon rains.
South West Khasi Hills saw the entire district affected by the monsoon, impacting 11 villages, damaging over 13 houses, and affecting 88 people. Two structures were also reported damaged, and over 1 hectare of agricultural land was destroyed.
West Khasi Hills reported three villages affected by the monsoon rains, with one fatality and over 11 others affected. The victim, Kanty Maram (49) from Nongkroh Rambrai under Nongstoiñ Block, died due to a lightning strike on June 12.
Landslides and flash floods were reported in West Jaintia Hills and South Garo Hills, with ongoing assessments of damages and affected people.
Following warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), MSDMA issued alerts through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) based Integrated Alert System of the Government of India.
All districts have been instructed to take necessary actions to prepare for the South West Monsoon, including activating District Incident Response Teams (IRT), 24×7 operation of District Emergency Operation Centers (DEOC), issuing advisories to the public, and implementing immediate relief measures. Relief efforts, restoration work, and assistance are being provided by DDMA, BDO, PWD (Roads), NHAI, Municipal Boards, and the Water Resource Department at various affected locations.
