SHILLONG, March 31: The sudden heavy shower accompanied by gusty winds on Sunday evening took the city streets by surprise as the public ran helter-skelter to look for shelter from the downpour.
From pedestrians to those on two-wheelers, all bolted for cover, some under the trees, a few crowded in the bus stand, shops and many took cover wherever they could find a roof over their heads.
As per the India Meteorological Department, Shillong, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning, squall, strong surface winds will occur in Assam and Meghalaya till April 4 (Thursday).
According to the impact-based assessment of the department, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places over East Jaintia Hill, East Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills. Thunderstorm/lightning and gusty wind with wind speed of 30 to 40 kmph is likely to occur at isolated places over South West Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills. Thunderstorm/lightning is also likely to occur at isolated places over South West Khasi Hills.
Under impact expected, the department had listed minor damage to loose or unsecured structures, breaking of tree branches, twigs, damage to standing crops and vegetables, foliage, flowers, stems, branches and fruits, poor visibility leading to traffic congestion in urban areas, possibilities of flash floods due to intense spell of rainfall, water logging/flooding in many parts of low lying areas and localised landslides/mudslides in the hilly areas.
In a late development, the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of MeECL, Sanjay Goyal, said many trees have been uprooted throughout the state following the sudden heavy storm/winds, leading to many transformers and power lines being severely damaged throughout the state including Shillong.
Effort is on to restore power as soon as possible, the CMD said.
