Shillong, Mar 31: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday said that the state government would start working on an adaptation policy to reduce risks posed by the consequences of climatic changes, and assured of providing relief to families affected by hailstorms in various districts of the state.
After chairing an emergent meeting in the main secretariat here on Saturday where hailstones and squall accompanied by heavy rain hit several districts in the state on Friday, the Chief Minister said that roughly over 50 villages were affected.
Thousands of households in damaged in districts which include, West Jaiñtia Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills, and North Garo Hills.
Minister in-charge revenue and disaster, Kyrmen Shylla and other ministers besides chief secretary, Y. Tsering, additional chief secretary in-charge disaster management, P.W. Ingty and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister said that the government was trying its best to provide immediate temporary relief to the affected families, and a detailed assessment on the extent of damages to houses, crops, livestock and other properties was being carried out.
He said that the focus of the government was to provide maximum help to the people, adding that all concerned departments have been asked to attend to the needs of the people.
“We are working on a war footing to provide temporary relief to the affected people,†he said.
He informed that materials like tarpaulin were distributed immediately to the affected families for taking shelter in their house besides essential commodities provided through the respective district administrations, while MLAs representing the affected areas have also done their bid to help the affected people.
Stating that the government needs to come up with measures to tackle climate change, the chief minister stressed on coming up with an adaptation policy to climatic changes.
“We need to sit down and discuss on this issue and come up with an aggressive adaptation policy,†he said.
Last week, the chief minister while addressing a seminar on “Natural Resources Management and Climate Change: opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs†in Garo Hills, said that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government would soon sign an agreement with the World Bank for funding to the tune of over Rs 100 crore to protect and preserve catchment areas in the state.
Admitting that the impact of global warming has been felt across the length and breadth of the country and the world, Conrad said, “Its impact is being felt across the globe and in India because of wanton destruction of forests, burning of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum leading to rise in CO2 emissions.â€
