Rain changes scene in GH

SHILLONG: In an irony of sorts, after the last week’s series of meetings chaired by the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to address a drought-like situation in Garo Hills, now the Government has to prepare a plan to tackle flood-like situation!

The drought-like situation was witnessed in South West Garo Hills and West Garo Hills and later a meeting was called in Tura by the Chief Minister to address the situation. It was when the heads of all the Garo Hills districts had been asked to prepare reports on the drought situation that the sudden rain for the last two days has changed the scenario.

When contacted, the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said that when the drought-like situation had emerged , there was a deficit rainfall of 35 per cent. The Deputy Commissioner, however, said that due to the drought, the farmers were compelled to resort to alternate cropping as the crops were damaged.

Bakshi, however, admitted that due to the late rain, the farmers would be the worst sufferers. Though there was rainfall for the last two days, the report on previous drought-like situation will be still examined by the Government to provide relief to the farmers.

Warning sounded :Bakshi said the North East Space Application Centre had on August 13 and 14 sounded alert about the impending rain which helped the district administration to sound warning to all concerned. The low intensity flood warning was issued for the plain areas including Phulbari and the message was communicated to officials and people, the official said. “We are watchful for a few more days since the sky is still cloudy”, Bakshi said.