From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The Block Development Officer (BDO) of Mawshynrut, DD Sangma, while quoting fresh reports, informed that Altogether 906 houses were completely destroyed by the storm, out of which 223 households have lost everything. 43 villages were affected, most of them severely, the latest reports said.
Meanwhile, West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, S Kharlyngdoh on Sunday said that he and his team visited the affected villages and handed over Rs 1.20 lakh each to the families of the deceased, which is in addition to the Rs 30,000 paid earlier to the victims of the cyclone.
Kharlyngdoh also informed that four persons were injured out of whom, Smt Prolina Lyngkhoi, who was critical, has been referred to a hospital in Shillong. The three injured were given Rs 9,300 each while Prolina was given Rs 10,000, the amount being donated by P Nongsiej of Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills.
Kharlyngdoh also added that efforts were on to provide relief items to the affected families at the earliest. He also informed that on Saturday, utensils donated by the Red Cross Society, Meghalaya Branch, were distributed at Porla, Porla A and Mawthylliang.
Ironically, the State Government has announced a sum of only Rs 25 lakh as relief.
The affected families were disappointed with the meager amount announced by the Government. One of the affected persons who was rendered homeless, while lamenting the small amount announced by the Government, said “Beggars cannot be choosers.”