Meghalaya govt seeks rain damage assessment report

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 27, 2020

The state government has sought a detail report on the damaged caused to roads and other infrastructures across the state due to heavy rains which led to incidents of floods and landslides.   

“We have asked the Public Works Department (PWD) and other line departments to find the extent of damaged especially roads due to heavy rainfall,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters on Wednesday.

Many roads have been washed away in different parts of the state particularly in Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills region.

He said there has been quite an extensive damage on the road infrastructures and MLAs from the two regions have also conducted inspections to the affected areas.

“Once reports are received, we have also decided to take up the matter with the Government of India,” the chief minister added.

Stating that the state is still expecting to get heavy rainfall in the next twenty-four hours, Sangma said all deputy commissioners and concerned departments were asked to keep a close watch on the situation.

“They were also told to take necessary steps to ensure all kinds of relief are extended to those affected,” he said while informing that sufficient funds have been parked with the respective DCs.

Asked, the chief minister informed that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 33 crore as first installment to the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).

“We have so far released Rs 5.3 crore for effective management of COVID-19 and Rs 2.2 crore for natural calamity in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, the chief minister informed that over 534 houses in 85 villages were damaged during heavy rainfall received from May 19 to 26. According to him, five relief camps have been set up by the government.