Shillong, May 2 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Saturday chaired a meeting with the State Disaster Management Authority and other line departments to review the state’s monsoon preparedness.

Taking stock of the preparedness for the upcoming monsoons, Sangma said that effective coordination between different departments and organisations is crucial in the preparedness plan, not only to reduce and mitigate the effects but also to ensure effective and efficient response, minimising loss and suffering, and to restore normalcy.

He added that relief, water and housing should be provided immediately in case of an event.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home Prestone Tynsong, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary Donald Philips Wahlang and senior officials from the India Meteorological Department, Public Health Engineering , Health and Family Welfare, Public Work Department, Power, etc.

Deputy Commissioners and district officers from all the districts of the state also attended the meeting via videoconferencing.

While stressing the role and involvement of the Block Disaster Management Committees, the Village Disaster Management Committees and Village Executive Committees, the Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioners to convene regular meetings and added that specific and defined directions and guidelines are to be given to the village organisations.

He also emphasised the need to disseminate information to people at the grassroots level in a systematic manner through various media and in local languages.

Informing about the measures taken by the government to improve early warning systems, the Chief Minister said, “Every region has distinct vulnerabilities, and the government is taking steps to map the vulnerabilities, like floods in Garo Hills and landslides in Jaintia Hills, and to develop a mechanism for early prediction and forecast.”

The Chief Minister also reviewed the availability of manpower, inventory/equipment like earth movers, boats, etc.

He also said that roads, water and power are critical sectors that are significantly affected and directed these sectors for heightened preparedness.

He further said preparedness and mock drills are to be conducted more frequently, as regular mock drills promote a sense of preparedness.

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