Nongpoh, Jul 15: Faced with recurring problems of flooding that were demonstrated in great detail through videos of cars being swept away recently, the Ri-Bhoi district administration convened a coordination meeting with officials from various line departments to chalk out both immediate and long-term measures aimed at mitigating the problem in Jorabat-Khanapara.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi and was attended by representatives from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Public Works Department (PWD), Water Resources Department, police, District Disaster Management Authority, Soil and Water Conservation Department, Forest Department and officials from the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC).
During the meeting, officials reviewed the existing flood situation and discussed a series of interventions to reduce the impact of waterlogging in flood-prone areas. The DC stated that while several measures had already been initiated in the past, there is a need to expedite their implementation to provide effective relief to residents affected by the annual flooding.
Among the key decisions taken were the widening and desilting of drains, regular cleaning of drainage channels and the construction of necessary flood mitigation structures, including check dams and other engineering works, wherever required. The administration also identified critical flood hotspots where waterlogging has repeatedly occurred and decided to prioritise these areas for immediate intervention.
The DC informed that necessary directions have already been issued to the concerned departments to ensure timely execution of the proposed works through coordinated action.
Appealing to the public for their cooperation, the DC urged residents not to dispose of garbage into roadside drains, noting that clogged drains have been one of the major causes of flooding during heavy rainfall.
“By keeping drains free from waste, citizens can play a significant role in preventing waterlogging,” the DC said.
