CM reviews situation, orders immediate relief; IMD warns of more severe weather till March 19
Our Bureau
SHILLONG/MAWKYRWAT/JOWAI, March 15: A powerful hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain and gusty winds struck large parts of Meghalaya on Sunday, inflicting widespread damage on homes, vehicles, standing crops, and electrical infrastructure across the state.
The most severe impact was felt in West Garo Hills, particularly in Tura town and surrounding areas, where the storm hit around 3 AM. Residents described hailstones as large as golf balls raining down for nearly 20 minutes. The unusually large hail punctured tin roofs, dented and shattered windscreens of vehicles parked in the open, and devastated vegetable gardens and flower nurseries. Power supply was disrupted in several districts, including parts of Shillong, Nongstoin, Tura, and Baghmara, due to the combined effect of strong winds and heavy rainfall.
While every district reported some level of damage, West Garo Hills suffered the heaviest losses.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted the weather to remain severe till March 19.
A hailstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds hits several villages under Ranikor Civil Sub-Division in South West Khasi Hills, damaging about 139 houses, but fortunately no untoward incident were reported.
Official sources informed that the incident took place at around 2-2:30 AM on Sunday in which a hailstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds destroyed villages in Ranikor as well as Nongjri area.
Sources revealed that as per preliminary assessment, the villages which were affected by the hailstorm include Nongkulang village with more than 118 houses being destroyed affecting about 700-800 people, Thadteja village with 8 houses affected, Pormawdar with 11 houses affected and New Moilam with two houses affected.
Sources also informed that preliminary information were received from the people of Amarsang and parts of Pormawdar village that few more households have been affected, however due to network issues in the area, it is difficult to obtain complete details and it is likely that more villages may have been affected.
Sources also informed that field verification is being carried out by officials of Ranikor C&RD Block for detail assessment of damages to houses and property.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma responded swiftly, convening an emergency video review meeting on Sunday with the Chief Secretary, the Commissioner and Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, and deputy commissioners of the worst-affected districts.
During the meeting, Sangma directed district administrations to ensure that relief materials and financial assistance reach every impacted household without delay.
He instructed officials to maintain constant ground-level monitoring, expedite the restoration of essential services such as electricity and water supply, and continue detailed damage assessment so that comprehensive support can be provided to affected communities at the earliest.
Power authorities, under Commissioner and Secretary Sanjay Goyal, have already deployed additional manpower and repair teams to restore electricity in the hardest-hit areas on priority.
IMD warning
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a fresh alert on Sunday, forecasting continued unsettled conditions over East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills and other districts from March 15 to 19. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph, heavy rainfall, and isolated hailstorms are expected, particularly on March 15. Wind speeds are likely to moderate slightly to 30-40 kmph on March 16, with heavy rain and thunderstorms continuing through March 17, followed by isolated thunderstorms and lightning on March 18 and 19, it stated.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and District Disaster Management Authority Chairperson Rosetta M. Kurbah appealed to the public to exercise extreme caution during this period. She urged residents to secure loose items such as tin sheets, signboards, lumber, bricks, and garbage bins that could be lifted by strong winds, to unplug electrical appliances during lightning activity, and to stay away from rivers, streams, drains, culverts, waterfalls, and flooded roads.
Kurbah advised against venturing outdoors during hailstorms or heavy downpours and reminded citizens to dial 112 immediately in case of any emergency.
A parallel advisory has been issued by the West Jaintia Hills district administration, calling on residents to remain vigilant and follow all safety precautions to minimise risk of injury and further property damage throughout the warned period.
As a precautionary measure, all schools (both government and private), colleges and other educational institutes will remain closed in West Jaintia Hills on March 16, the order added.
