Our Bureau
SHILLONG/ TURA/ Mawkyrwat: The powerful cyclonic storm, Fani, that pounded the coastal areas of Odisha and moved into neighbouring Bangladesh had its impact also in the state damaging dwellings and uprooting trees although no casualties were reported.
Though in a milder form, the storm was accompanied by incessant rain.
In Shillong, a tree near the additional secretariat was uprooted but there was no damage to property. Banners put up in some commercial establishments were brought down by the wind. A billboard of Vishal Mega Mart in the city fell on some parked cars.
In South West Khasi Hills district several houses were damaged and trees and electric posts uprooted leaving people panicky.
Strong winds accompanied by heavy rain lashed the district though the day but the peak was witnessed between noon and 5 PM. However, no instances of injury or loss of life was reported.
South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo informed that as per reports received till 6PM, a few houses suffered damage in Mawsaw, Lawblei, Wahsiej, Mawbidong and Mawthawpdah villages of Mawkyrwat C&RD Block.
”Two electricity poles located in Jakrem in Mawkyrwat Block and Domshken in Ranikor Block tilted due to heavy winds and the line was immediately disconnected by MePDCL and restoration work will be carried out,” Laloo said, adding that a few trees had also fallen but PWD Roads Department has cleared the affected roads.
”The BDOs (Mawkyrwat and Ranikor Block) informed that the affected households have been given assistance in the village itself and the Gram Sevaks are carrying out detailed assessment of the damage,” Laloo said.
Laloo also urged people to remain in a state of alert, to not venture out during heavy rains and to avoid going near water bodies or rivers. “Fishing and boating activities must not be undertaken since the rivers will be swollen after the heavy rain,” she said, adding that any damage to houses or property may be reported to the authorities.
The rain added force to waterfalls in Krang Shuri, West Jaintia Hills. Water from the hills gushed into the valleys in Mawsynram but it did not affect the residents.
The Indian Meteorological Department said deep depression over Bangladesh has moved further Northeastwards.
Besides heavy rainfall, strong wind with speed reaching 40-50 km per hour to 60 kmph may hit Meghalaya in the next 12 hours.
The meteorological department predicted rain and wind on Sunday.
District officials in the five Garo Hills districts informed that strong winds have been the main worry as uprooted trees have caused temporary road blocks in some areas.
South West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Ram Kumar S said disaster management teams were on high alert for any eventuality. He informed that some sections of the main road connecting district headquarters
Ampati to Tura were temporarily blocked by fallen trees which have since been cleared.
A large tree that got uprooted by the strong winds at Dorambok- Mukdangra section of the Tura- Garobadha road halted traffic for a few hours on Saturday morning.
Similar reports have come in from Tura and its adjoining areas, like in Chandmari- Chitoktak area where roads got narrowed due to minor land slips and fallen trees.
The South Garo Hills district, which is closest to neighbouring Bangladesh through which a weakened cyclone Fani is expected to pass through, strong winds have been reported hitting the Gasuapara and Sibbari areas of the district.
District officials from Baghmara informed that besides uprooted trees in some places, there has been no report of any serious damage from the storm.