Meghalaya CM visits Cyclone affected areas

Ampati (Meghalaya), April 17 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Monday visited the cyclone-affected areas in the state's South West Garo Hills district and reviewed the assessment of damages.

Accompanied by district administration officials, Sangma met some of the affected families at Kolkatola village near Betasing Block where more than 25 households were affected and assured them of necessary assistance for restoration of their houses.

The Chief Minister also asked the villagers and enquired whether the village disaster management committees were in place and called for preparedness for such emergencies.

After monitoring and reviewed the assessment of damages and restoration works being undertaken at ground zero, the Chief Minister held a meeting with District Magistrate C.V.D Diengdoh and other district officials to review the assessment and compilation of reports of damages to both private and public properties.

Though a tally of the total number of affected households and villages were still being worked out, preliminary reports says that at least 317 hectares of crop area were reported to be damaged under Betasing block besides silting of agricultural land and damage to earthen canals with estimated loss of Rs 30 lakh.

Strong winds accompanied by heavy rain on Saturday lashed parts of Meghalaya, extensively damaging houses, plantations, roads and some government installations across the South West Garo Hills district, adjoining Bangladesh.