Shillong, May 2 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma chaired a meeting today with the State Disaster Management Authority and other departments to review the state’s readiness for the upcoming monsoon season.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Minister of Health Ampareen Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary D P Wahlang, and senior officials from various departments including IMD, PHE, Health, PWD, and Power. Deputy Commissioners and district officers from all districts participated via video conferencing.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of effective coordination between departments and organizations to reduce the impact of monsoons, ensure efficient responses, minimize suffering, and restore normalcy.
He emphasized the need for immediate provision of relief, water, and housing in case of disasters. The Chief Minister directed Deputy Commissioners to hold regular meetings with Block and Village Disaster Management Committees and Village Executive Committees, and to provide them with clear directions and guidelines. He also stressed the importance of disseminating information to people at the grassroots level through various media and in local languages.
The Chief Minister discussed government measures to improve early warning systems, stating, “Every region has distinct vulnerabilities, and the government 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.”
The meeting also included a review of the availability of manpower and equipment such as earth movers and boats. The Chief Minister identified road, water, and power sectors as particularly vulnerable and directed these sectors to enhance their preparedness. He also advocated for more frequent preparedness exercises and mock drills.
