The Power Department has completed the restoration works to the damage to power lines caused by Cyclone Remal recently.
This was informed by Commissioner and Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management, Sanjay Goyal during a media interaction today.
Goyal said that the chief minister had directed that restoration of electricity lines should be the topmost priority.
On the disruption to power supply due to the devastation caused by Cyclone Remal, Goyal said that much of the damage was caused to transformers due to lightning while extensive damage was caused to all the categories of power lines due to the strong winds.
“But now the power supply has been restored. All officers in the field have been asked to make proper assessment of the work done and whatever is permissible to be claimed under SDRF funds will be done and the rest will be done from their own operational and maintenance,” said Goyal who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
Goyal said that initially around two and a half weeks ago the State received more than the normal rainfall which is roughly 50-60 per cent normal.
Asked if the damage is more in comparison to previous years, Goyal said that it will be difficult to say because the monsoon season has just started and they need to wait for the entire season to understand.
“But what I can say is the government is fully prepared. We are in continuous touch with the Deputy Commissioner’s (DCs) and an adequate amount of funds has been placed with DCs in advance to handle any kind of emergency,” he informed.
Concerning vulnerable areas, Goyal stated that going by past experience Garo Hills, especially the plain belt areas, was mainly impacted because of the backflow of the rivers which join Brahmaputra.
“A previous meeting of the chief minister was focusing on these vulnerable areas, that they should be totally prepared and if needed to evacuate the vulnerable population or households and take them to a safer place which is on a higher elevation,” he added.
Adding that the State is prepared to deal with any flood situation, Goyal mentioned that Meghalaya has an experience of flash floods and it depends on the amount of rainfall that the State gets in a short span of time.
He also added that the government and concerned departments keep track of the water level of the important rivers such as Brahmaputra, Dudhnoi, Krishnai and Jinari which are connected with the rivers in Assam are at the danger level.
“We are monitoring it but as of now there’s no such kind of emergency of getting alarmed. But we are prepared,” Goyal said.
