Shillong: East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts have been the worst affected by incessant rains across Meghalaya between May 13-16, resulting in at least three deaths and four injuries, minister in-charge of revenue & disaster management Kyrmen Shylla said on Tuesday. He added that Meghalaya needed a disaster relief force on the lines of the NDRF since the state is prone to natural calamities.
Inclement weather in the two districts has caused massive damage to life, infrastructure and paddy fields, Shyllla said.
Sending out a condolence message, Shylla said the government will work to speed up the process of ensuring ex-gratia for the lives lost according to the norms, as well as compensation for other losses.
“We urge people to be alert during monsoon season because it keeps happening every year that we lose precious lives,” said Shylla.
While there has not been a formal assessment of the damages so far, the minister said the losses were expected to be massive this time.
The minister said while it was difficult to predict landslides or any natural calamity in Meghalaya due to the terrain, if the infrastructure damages were found to be the carelessness of contractors or government departments, requisite action will be taken.
He added that Meghalaya needed a disaster relief force on the lines of the NDRF since the state is prone to natural calamities.
Also Read | Poachers tranquilize rhino to remove horn in Orang National Park in Assam
