SHILLONG: The ongoing monsoon rains since June 10 have wreaked havoc across the Northeast, severely impacting Meghalaya.
Over 42 villages across six districts of Meghalaya have been severely affected by the monsoon rains, claiming two lives.
West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya is the worst affected district in Meghalaya.
According to the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA), South West Monsoon has destroyed over 36 structures, including 17 houses, and caused crop damage across 4.45 hectares.
West Garo Hills experienced the most severe impact, with over 24 villages affected and more than 2825 people displaced.
Moreover, two houses were completely destroyed in the district.
In East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, the monsoon rains from June 10 to June 17 affected one village and resulted in one fatality due to drowning.
East Jaiñtia Hills district in Meghalaya saw one village affected and over 107 people impacted, with rain destroying over 3.45 hectares of agricultural crops.
South West Khasi Hills experienced widespread impact, with 11 villages affected, over 13 houses damaged, and 88 people displaced.
Additionally, two structures were damaged, and over 1 hectare of agricultural land was destroyed.
West Khasi Hills reported three villages affected by the monsoon rains, resulting in one fatality and impacting over 11 others.
Landslides and flash floods have been reported in West Jaintia Hills and South Garo Hills in Meghalaya, with ongoing assessments of damages and affected populations.
Following warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Meghalaya SDMA issued alerts through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) based Integrated Alert System of the central government.
All districts in Meghalaya have been instructed to take necessary actions to prepare for the South West Monsoon, including activating District Incident Response Teams (IRT), ensuring 24×7 operation of District Emergency Operation Centers (DEOC), issuing advisories to the public, and implementing immediate relief measures.