Shillong, April 15 (IANS) Hurricane Thursday caused heavy damage to Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district. More than 1000 homes were damaged in the district due to the cyclone.
Thousands of homes have been damaged in the district. But no casualties have been reported, an official said. 47 villages in the district have been damaged by the storm. An official told PTI that the houses there were damaged.
The official also informed that the government assets, including the BDO office, school, public works department and veterinary offices, were destroyed in the storm.
The evacuation of the people in the affected villages as well as the relocation of the people is underway. He said departments have been commissioned for this.
Damage to about 29 villages and 612 houses
About 29 villages and 612 houses have been damaged under the Borimbong block of Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district due to the cyclone. Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Arpit Upadhyay said about 400 houses were also damaged in the Tyrso and Mavlasnai area.
“271 houses were partially damaged and 86 houses were completely damaged, but three people in Umeth village suffered minor injuries,” he added.
The storm damaged a school in Umroi Nongrah and a church in Lumdienggang, and damaged government assets, including the BDO office, the EE office, the quarters, the hatchery cum poultry farm and the Department of Public Works including Fisheries. The report noted that in the Umsnning C&RD Block, about 47 villages were damaged and several houses were damaged.
DC Arpit Upadhyaya said a temporary shelter has been set up in Saidhe village for those who lost their homes due to the cyclone. Meanwhile, police, forest and PW have been promptly instructed to take necessary action for clearance and restoration.
Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited has immediately sent its team to restore power supply in the affected district. Traffic was immediately restored at DC “Umsning Block,” and an online emergency meeting with all block development officials was called for.
