SHILLONG: A woman in the late forties lost her life while there was severe damage to property in the cyclone that hit Ri-Bhoi in the last two days. Crops were also damaged due to the hailstones that hit the area.
The deceased, Anasuk Shadap (48) of Umiam village, was inside her hut when a tree fell upon it killing her on the spot on Friday.
Another person was seriously injured in the cyclone hit village on the same day.
As per available information, the district was hit by another major cyclone on Saturday which blew the roofs of several houses in villages across the district.
The affected areas include Umsaitning Umsmu village near Umsning, Umden Umsaitprah village near Umroi and Nongthymmai village under Umroi Constituency.
When contacted, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that quick response was required to provide relief.
“I have directed the acting Chief Secretary to review the situation,” the Chief Minister said while informing that he has issued a directive to hold regular review meetings to monitor such incidents.
He also said that the Government would take all possible steps to provide immediate relief to the affected people.
A resident of Umden Arka village, Shalan Malai said that a major cyclone hit the area at around 3.30 pm on Saturday.
He said that all the standing crops in the field were badly damaged by hailstones and several houses were also damaged by the storm.
Ronald Khonglam, of Umsaitsning Umsmu informed that two schools – RCLP School, Umsaitsning Umsmu, and LP School, Umsmu– were partially damaged by the cyclonic storm.
There was significant damage to crops in Nongthymmai but no one was injured in the storm-hit village.
The headman of Khyndewso village, Joshuwa Mynsong informed that the storm damaged several houses in the village.
“Four electricity poles were also damaged but there were no casualties,” he added.
Mynsong also urged the district administration to conduct a survey of the affected houses and render assistance.
