SHILLONG/ JOWAI: As many as 237 villages and over 2,500 families in Meghalaya have been affected due to the recent hailstorm accompanied by rain.
Till date, the number of families affected due to the calamity since March 30 is 2,505, according to the assessment of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
Additional Chief Secretary PW Ingty, who is dealing with the matter, said on Monday that the extent of damage is yet to be assessed.
He said relief works are under the supervision of respective deputy commissioners. Besides houses with tin roofs, crops and livestock were also affected due to the hailstorm.
Ingty said temporary shelters were arranged for the affected villagers.
The most affected areas are West Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and West Jaintia Hills.
Chief Secretary Y Tsering said Rs 20 lakh each was placed at the disposal of the respective deputy commissioners to provide relief to the affected. “If the damage is more, additional money will be released,” he said.
Meanwhile, hailstones also damaged around 200 houses at Sohmynting village on Sunday afternoon. Crops and other vegetations were also destroyed during the storm.
JHADC CEM visits villages
Newly elected Chief Executive Member of the JHADC Moonlight Pariat along with War East MDC Lamdibok Sumer, local MDC Suklang Shylla and officers of the Finance Department, besides the Secretary Executive Committee, visited Mynso and Pam-manik villages on Monday to assess the damages. Pariat informed that JHADC will try to provide assistance to the affected villagers through its gratuity relief fund.
