Hailstorm lashes Meghalaya, CM tells officials to provide relief, assistance

Hailstorm accompanied by heavy winds and rain struck several parts of Meghalaya on Sunday, damaging houses, vehicles and crops and disrupting electricity supply in many areas, officials said.
All the districts of the state were hit by hailstorm, but it was most severe in the West Garo Hills district.
The hailstorm hit West Garo Hills district’s Tura town and nearby areas around 3 am, bringing unusually large hailstones, some as big as golf balls.
The hailstorm lasted for nearly 20 minutes, puncturing tin roofs and damaging several vehicles parked along roadsides and in open compounds without protective covering.
Following the storm, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma held a review meeting with senior officials to assess the damage caused by the hailstorm in different parts of the state.
The meeting was attended by chief secretary, commissioner and secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, and deputy commissioners of the affected districts.
During the meeting, the chief minister directed officials to closely monitor the ground situation and ensure that immediate relief and assistance reach affected households without delay.
He also instructed the district administrations to take urgent steps to restore essential utilities, including electricity and water supply, at the earliest.
Meanwhile, power disruptions were reported from several areas, including parts of Shillong, Nongstoin, Tura and Baghmara, following the strong winds and rainfall.
Power Commissioner and Secretary Sanjay Goyal said additional manpower has been mobilised to restore electricity supply in the affected areas as soon as possible.
Officials said teams have been deployed to assess damage to power infrastructure and carry out restoration work on priority.