SHILLONG, MAY 27: Meghalaya government is taking proactive measures to ensure safety of its citizens in the wake of heavy rainfall and strong winds due to cyclone ‘Remal’.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong said that the government is fully prepared to tackle any eventualities arising out of heavy rainfall.

“We are fully prepared, be it financially or be it physically, be it whatever situation arises, we are ready. We have instructed all the agencies, be it government, be it NGOs, be it stakeholders up to the village level that they should cooperate and also work closely with the government machinery, which is already linked up to village level,” he told reporters.

Urging the citizens not to panic, Tynsong said, “…the prediction says that this cyclone will go on till tomorrow…We have specifically instructed all DCs not to sleep but to work 24×7 during the ongoing cyclone.”

“In few districts, we may be vulnerable and we have instructed the district administrations to be more vigilant and also to be in active mode,” he said.

According to him, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills are most likely to be vulnerable.

Whether the government will direct the closure of schools, the deputy CM however said, “We have discussed this issue. We leave it to the wisdom of the district administrations in consultation with the SDSEOs to take necessary decisions on this issue. State government does not have to say anything on this but the advisory note given to the district administration is to take necessary steps or take a decision on the ground as and when you feel it is necessary.”

On the problem of flooding due to absence of proper drainage, Tynsong said, “We need a joint effort be it urban affairs, SMB as well as PWD roads, we are consulting and we will take necessary actions.”

He said the government has made proper drainage along the sides of the road in Demseiniong and few other places in Shillong.

Tynsong also informed that the government has earmarked Rs 20 crore for each district administration to provide immediate relief to victims of natural calamity.

To another query, the deputy CM said the forest department has the full responsibility to identify precarious trees.

“Now again when you talk about the state of Meghalaya quite a number of forested areas falls under the Syiem, Raid and again as I told you this process also we need to sit down with all stakeholders and then identify and ultimately felling of such vulnerable trees can be done,” he added.

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