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Time of India

Pre-monsoon rain lashes Meghalaya, Conrad chairs meeting to review preparedness

1 2 Shillong: CM Conrad K Sangma on Friday chaired a meeting with State Disaster Management Authority and other line departments to review the state's monsoon preparedness in the state which is being lashed by pre-monsoon showers. Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong, health minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, chief secretary DP Wahlang and senior officials from India India Meteorological Department (IMD), PHE, health, PWD and power were presentat the meeting. Deputy commissioners and senior officers from all districts also attended the meeting via video conferencing. The CM, taking stock of the preparedness for the upcoming monsoon, said effective coordination between different departments and organizations is crucial in the preparedness plan not only to reduce and mitigate the effects but also ensure effective and efficient response, minimizing loss and suffering and to restore normalcy. He added that relief, water and housing should be provided immediately in case of an event. Stressing on the role and involvement of the Block Disaster Management Committees, Village Disaster Management Committees and Village Executive Committees, the CM directed the DCs to convene regular meetings and added that specific and defined directions and guidelines are to be given to the village organizations. He also emphasized on the need to disseminate information to people at the grassroots level in a systematic manner through various media and in local languages and informed about the measures taken by the govt to improve early warning systems. "Every region has distinct vulnerabilities and the govt is taking steps to map the vulnerabilities like floods in Garo Hills and landslides in Jaintia Hills and to develop a mechanism for early prediction and forecast," he said. The CM also reviewed the availability of manpower, inventory/equipment like earth movers, boats etc. He said road, water and power are critical sectors that are significantly affected and called for heightened preparedness in these sectors. He further said preparedness and mock drills are to be conducted more frequently as regular mock drills promote a sense of preparedness. Meanwhile, continuous heavy rainfall and hailstorm on Friday led to waterlogging in several areas in the state capital. The IMD Meghalaya has issued a warning for more rain and thunderstorms across most parts of the state in the coming days.