SHILLONG, June 30: The state government has approached the North Eastern Space Applications Centre and other agencies to get an early warning system for thunderstrike, flood and landslide.
A decision to take their help was taken during a recent meeting of the Revenue and Disaster Management department. It was attended among others by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla and Commissioner and Secretary of the department Matsiewdor War Nongbri.
War said the department is in touch with different agencies, including some from abroad, to find ways and means for early warning signs of flood, landslide and thunderstrike. She said the government wants technology to give the best possible service, like giving warning of lightning half an hour before it strikes.
“We can respond better if we have adequate time to react before the lightning strikes,” she said.
Lightning killed two persons at Mawjem village in Mawsynram on June 21, a delayed report said on Friday.
The victims were identified as Skylait Donbon (55) from Mawdon village and
Wallambok Rapsang (19) from Mawkham village.
War said the department is tracking and making assessments of floods from State GIS and UAB.
“We are also using drones to assess the flood situation,” she said, adding the department will hold a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners to identify the landslide-prone areas.
“The identification of such areas is under process,” she said.
Meanwhile, Shylla said the department is releasing funds to the DCs for payment of compensation to the victims of natural calamities. The funds are being released after following necessary norms and verification of paperwork, he said.
The minister shared figures of funds earmarked through the 15th Finance Commission for payment of compensation.
He said the department received Rs 58.40 crore in 2021-2022, Rs 60.80 crore in 2022-2023 and Rs 64.80 crore in 2023-2024. He said Rs 67.20 crore has been earmarked for 2024-2025 and Rs 71.20 crore for 2025-2026.
He said the funds made available to the department include a 10% contribution from the state government.
Shylla said the State Disaster Mitigation Funds released to the department by the 15th Finance Commission include Rs 15 crore in 2021-2022, Rs 15.20 crore in 2022-2023 and Rs 16.20 crore in 2023-2024. He said Rs 16.80 crore has been earmarked for 2024-2025 and Rs 17.80 crore for 2025-2026.
He said funds made available to DCs include Rs 78.37 lakh (East Khasi Hills), Rs 63.37 lakh (West Khasi Hills), Rs 58.37 lakh (South West Khasi Hills), Rs 8.27 lakh (West Garo Hills), Rs 58.37 lakh (South West Garo Hills) and Rs 59.37 lakh each for East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills.
The minister said his department will coordinate with the Forest department and some other departments to identify trees which need to be felled as they pose a danger to people.
Stating that families of people killed by lightning strikes are also eligible for compensation, Shylla said the cases of human-animal conflict will be eligible for compensation once the same is approved by the Cabinet.
Meanwhile, he said the other decisions taken during the meeting with the CM include using drones for assessing flood situation, entrusting NHAI to find out medium and long-term solutions to the problem of landslides at Sonapur tunnel and procuring more equipment, including boats.
