GUWAHATI/SHILLONG, May 26: The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning for Meghalaya, forecasting severe weather conditions due to Cyclone “Remal”. Extremely heavy rainfall is expected until Tuesday, it said.
The Met office on Sunday evening predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the Northeast during the next couple of days, triggered by a severe cyclonic storm over north Bay of Bengal.
According to the national bulletin of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday evening, a severe cyclonic storm (“Remal”) over the north Bay of Bengal is very likely to continue to move nearly northwards, intensify further and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts by Sunday midnight, as a severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph.
In the Northeastern states, light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places was likely over Mizoram, Tripura and South Manipur on Sunday and over Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura on Monday and Tuesday.
“Isolated extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 20 cm) is also likely over Assam, Meghalaya on May 27 and 28, in Arunachal Pradesh on May 28, and in Mizoram and Tripura on May 27,” it stated.
“Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is likely over Mizoram Tripura and south Manipur on May 27, and 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is likely over south Assam and Meghalaya on May 27,” it warned.
In light of the cyclone warning, the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) has directed all districts to activate the all Incident Response Team (IRT) and prepare shelters, relief campsites and other necessities.
“The SDMA has issued urgent warnings and directions to all districts to activate IRT and prepare shelter, relief campsites, rations and other necessities. DDMSs have also released advisories,” SDMA Executive Director, Matsiewdor War Nongbri said on Sunday. “We are on full alert. All districts are on alert 24×7,” she said.
It was also informed that in all the districts, the respective deputy commissioners have instructed all heads of departments to take necessary precautions and remain in their respective headquarters.
The Block Development Officers of all C&RD Blocks have also been directed to activate the Block Disaster Management Committees and Village Disaster Management Committees within their jurisdictions.
The District Medical and Health Officer have also been advised to ensure that all Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) of the Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres keep an adequate stock of medicines and first aid kits ready for emergencies at all health centres.
The Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supply has also been instructed to alert all suppliers of food grains to maintain sufficient food stock to manage the situation in case of any eventualities.
