Meghalaya takes precautionary measures for cylcone Amphan

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 22, 2020

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said all deputy commissioners (DCs) have been asked to be on high alert and to take all precautionary measures to deal with any eventuality arising out of cyclone ‘Amphan’.

The advisory issued by the Revenue & Disaster Management department has directed the DCs to monitor the situation and take appropriate precautionary measures, Sangma said in his reply to the a call attention notice tabled by Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem on the state’s preparedness for Amphan cyclone and COVID-19, in the Assembly on Friday. 

He said the course of event is being monitored by dedicated cells and appeared that the super cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ has caused severe destruction and havoc in West Bengal and Odisha leaving atleast 72 casualties and uprooting thousand of trees and swarming low lying areas. 

In view of this, the CM said another advisory was issued asking the DCs to activate all the teams such as rapid response team, evacuation team etc at the district as well as the block level to meet the challenges if any arising out of the cyclone Amphan, which is expected any time. 

He said the state emergency operation centre (SEOC) and all district emergency operation centre (DEOC) has been made fully operational 24/7 with effect from March 21, for COVID-19 adding further the same operation is continuing for cyclone Amphan. 

“The state disaster management force (SDRF) and fire & emergency services (F&ES) are on the alert to deal with emergencies that may arise anytime,” the CM said.

He said all district disaster management authorities (DDMAs) has been directed to identify temporary shelters for disaster affected families in-line with the guideline on Covid-19.

For easy dissemination of warning or instruction and to generate awareness amongst the public, social media account has been created in facebook/twitter for State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).

“To enable the DCs to response quickly and efficiently an amount of Rs 20 lakh each, parked at all times with the DCs to give them mobility and meet the exigencies urgently,” he added. 

On the preparedness of the state on COVID-19, the CM said the government has put in place a three pronged strategy since mid-March to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“We are prioritizing the breaking of transmission chain, building the capacity of communities to deal with the situation and improving health infrastructure,” he added. 

He further informed that over 7,500 stranded Meghalayans have come in from all parts of the country post May 5 and necessary protocols were put in place to combat the spread of Covid-19.