Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today said that he has directed administrations in various districts to provide immediate relief to people whose houses have been damaged by strong winds and hailstorms in some parts of the State.
“Due to strong winds and heavy rains in some parts of the State, many houses have been damaged. Have asked administration to immediately provide relief,” Sangma said in his post on microblogging site X.
It may be mentioned that today as many as 20 houses were destroyed at Mawlynrei under Mawryngkneng Block, East Khasi Hills as a cyclonic storm hit the area at around 10:30 am. However, there were no injuries to people in the disaster.
In Eastern West Khasi Hills, several houses were damaged in a hailstorm that lashed some villages in the district.
According to reports, six villages in Eastern West Khasi Hills were affected by the hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain and around 62 houses have suffered damage.
The villages include Nongkhlaw, Mawiong Khri, Nongthyllep, Mawnai, Umshyiap, Phudbah and Demdngiem. It was also reported that agricultural crops were destroyed by the hailstones that hit these villages.
Pictures of the hailstorm that hit Mawnai village in the district also went viral on social media.
In West Khasi Hills, 52 houses were destroyed by the storm that hit the area at around 9:30 am today. Malangkona area was the worst affected. The other affected areas include Mawlieh, Byrki, Mawthir, Mawlangsu and Mawdoh.
Similar hailstorm havoc was also reported in Mawngap, Mawphlang and adjoining villages although there was no damage to houses.
Meanwhile, Shillong city which experienced a dry spell that threatened a severe water crisis today heaved a sigh of relief as heavy rainfall lashed the city at around 3:30 pm. However, the rain lasted for a brief period.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that heavy rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms and gusty winds is likely to continue over North East states including Meghalaya till May 7.
It may be recalled that on April 1, a cyclonic storm unleashed its fury in many parts of the State especially Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi leaving a trail of destruction with many houses destroyed.
