Jowai, March 15: The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, has issued a public advisoryfollowing a weather warning from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, heavy rainfall and possible hail over the district in the coming days.
According to the advisory issued on March 15, 2026, the IMD has forecast thunderstorms and lightning with gusty winds of 40–50 kmph, heavy rainfall and hail on March 15 in isolated places of West Jaintia Hills district.
The warning further indicates thunderstorms and lightning with gusty winds of 30–40 kmph along with heavy rain on March 16, while thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are likely on March 17. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected on March 18 and 19 in parts of the district.
In view of the forecast, the district administration has advised residents to take necessary precautions to avoid accidents and ensure public safety.
People have been advised to stay indoors during heavy rainfall and avoid unnecessary travel, and to remain inside sturdy buildings or vehicles with closed windows during storms.
The advisory also cautions residents to avoid small or temporary structures such as sheds, isolated trees and tents, and to keep away from electric poles, damaged wires and fallen power lines. Any such incidents should be immediately reported to the MePDCL electricity office.
Residents have also been warned to avoid flooded streets, rivers, culverts and water bodies and not to walk, swim or drive through flooded areas. Authorities also advised the public to stay away from hilltops, open fields and tall objects such as trees, poles and towers during thunderstorms.
The advisory further recommends unplugging electronic appliances, avoiding wired telephones during lightning and refraining from carrying metal objects such as umbrellas with metal handles or bicycles during storms.
People who are caught outdoors without shelter have been advised to crouch down with their feet together and hands over their ears rather than lying flat on the ground.
The district administration has also provided emergency contact numbers for assistance during any weather-related emergencies.
Citizens can contact the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) at 9774124321 / 8259965440, District Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 1077 or +91 3652 295221, and the Police Control Room at 9774065467.
Other emergency numbers include the Civil Defence Control Room (03652-224004), Fire and Emergency Service (9378176501), and block offices including Thadlaskein C&RD Block (7005066025), Amlarem C&RD Block (8132002318), Laskein C&RD Block (7005827824) and Namdong C&RD Block (7005066025).
