Meghalaya’s State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) swung into action since yesterday in various parts of the state following the onslaught of cyclone Remal.
The rains accompanied by winds, uprooted trees, damaged houses, and triggered landslides at many places.
In the capital city, the SDRF conducted operations in Lumparing where a team led by Sub Inspector M A Thubru evacuated eight residents from buildings close to the landslide area.
The team then rushed to Bivar Road and conducted operations along with Fire & Emergency Services and Shillong Municipal Board to evacuate residents at Bivar Road, Shillong following a wall collapse. One injured in the wall collapse was shifted to the hospital by local residents.
In another operation at Rilbong the SDRF team led by Sub Inspector S Dkhar, assisted personnel from the Forest department in cutting of trees posing danger to residents nearby.
The SDRF also evacuated 14 residents residing in danger prone areas. The operation here is still ongoing as the SDRF are still engaged in clearing of trees posing a threat to local residents.
In West Jaintia Hills, a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the Civil Defence and Home Guards District offices led by Sub Inspector Y Challam today morning cleared a number of uprooted trees in various areas of Dulong locality, which was obstructing traffic and posing a risk to residents and travelers.
The team also responded to a tree fall incident at Khimusiang, Jowai where they were able to tactically remove a large tree which had fallen on the roof a local resident.
In Tura, the SDRF assisted the district authorities in clearance of trees affected by the cyclonic winds at Members’ Hostel Junction, Tura.
The SDRF was actively involved in clearing a tree which had fallen on power lines near Gandrak Dare in Upper Chandmary ,Tura.
In another operation, the SDRF team led by Inspector SA Marak working along with the Forest Department were able to clear a tree which had fallen on top of a house at Lower Balsanang, Tura. No casualty was reported in this incident.
In Williamnagar, a team of a team of Civil Defence & Home Guards personnel led by Sub Inspector R Ch Marak assisted the Forest Department to cut off and clear a fallen big old tree at Kusimkol, where electricity line and the road got affected.
In another ongoing operation in Tura, an SDRF team led by Sub Inspector BD Sangma was engaged in clearing a tree which had fallen on Tura Civil Hospital yesterday.
Divisional Commandant of Home Guards, Paul H Shylla said though the SDRF had responded to the incident since yesterday, however very strong winds proved risky to the force as operations was halted.
He said the team resumed the operation early in the morning despite strong winds and the operation is still ongoing.
