Shillong, Jun 23: In response to the potential challenges posed by El Niño, Meghalaya has initiated a state-wide preparedness drive.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday directed departments to implement “actionable plans” within six to 12 months, to protect essential resources like water, agriculture, and the livelihoods of the populace.
Chairing a meeting of the Meghalaya Climate Council at the State Guest House in Taraghar, Sangma said the state must act before climatic disruptions hit. He stressed that while the exact impact on Meghalaya remains uncertain, the State must prepare in advance rather than respond after adverse conditions emerge.
El Niño is a significant climatic event that can disrupt weather patterns globally, often leading to weak monsoons and prolonged dry spells. In India, these disruptions can severely impact agriculture, water supply, and livelihoods.
Officials from the Indian Meteorological Department, Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, Agriculture, PHE, and other line departments gathered to strategise and discuss the critical interventions required.
The Agriculture Department said district-level contingency plans are ready and sowing is on track. Seeds and planting material are being supplied, while the focus shifts to short-duration crops, efficient water use, and wider crop insurance coverage.
PHE has lined up contingency plans for drinking water, including water tankers and emergency response for dry spells. Food & Civil Supplies has started advance stocking of grains and essentials to check shortages and price spikes.
The state will also strengthen early warning systems and run awareness drives with village bodies, SHGs, and community groups to make climate preparedness a “people’s movement.” Forest and ecosystem-based measures linked to water security are set to be expanded.
Sangma directed departments to set up clear implementation frameworks with responsibilities and timelines, saying preparedness is Meghalaya’s best defence against climate uncertainty.
