Cyclonic storm hits parts of Meghalaya

Shillong, April 16 (IANS) A number of houses in Meghalaya's South West Garo Hills district have been affected by a storm that hit the region on Saturday afternoon, an official said on Sunday.

Strong winds accompanied by heavy rain lashed parts of the state, extensively damaging houses, plantations, roads and some government installations across the South West Garo Hills distict, adjoining Bangladesh, a government statement said.

Though a tally of the total number of affected households and villages was not yet available, preliminary reports given by the district police showed that a large number of houses, roads and power lines were damaged in Salmanpara, Anangpara, Purakhasia, Hulukona and Chapahati areas under Zikzak community and Rural Development Block. Besides this, some areas around Ampati, Monabari and Chiringpara under Betasing block were also affected.

Several roads were blocked by falling trees and power supply was also cut off for the entire night in the district following the storm, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the district administration has alerted the officials concerned and they have been asked to send in reports of damage to houses etc. so that reports can be processed and sent to the government for necessary action at the earliest

District and block-level officials were already on the ground assessing the extent of damage in their respective areas.

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