Shillong, April 27: The state government has directed district authorities across the state to remain on high alert in view of the IMD warning about heavy rain and thunderstorm coupled with gusty wind in the next couple of days.
The state is fully prepared to handle any kind of disaster related eventualities, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said on Monday.
Informing that disaster response teams have been activated across the state, he said, “The teams, whether from the SDO or DC office, have been alerted to attend to any situation that arises.”
“Let us hope that the situation — it is not guaranteed — but all disaster management teams are on standby,” he said.
Rymbui stressed that disaster response is decentralised and district authorities are empowered to act independently.
“The district magistrate is fully empowered as chairman of disaster management to look into issues related to the district,” he said.
Appreciating the cooperation from all stakeholders, he said, “People are fully cooperating and we have teams from home guards, from the police, and from the fire service… all these teams are on alert.”
“Most importantly, I am happy that the people of Meghalaya are very cooperative with the agencies in tackling any eventualities,” Rymbui said.
Clarifying that disaster management goes beyond weather events, he said, “When we talk about disaster it is not only about rain, it is not only about earthquake or anything as there are also man-made disasters or accidents which can happen,” he said.
On funding and response timelines, Rymbui reiterated the decentralised approach, saying “…the deputy commissioner is fully equipped to tackle… if there is fund shortfall, they can always write to the state so that necessary action will be done.”
