Heavy rain in Meghalaya, many schools shut today

SHILLONG: As heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Remal lashed Meghalaya on Monday, the administration in various districts ordered closure of educational institutions on Tuesday in anticipation of critical cyclonic climatic conditions.

Reports of uprooting of trees, electric poles and waterlogging are pouring in from different regions as the cyclonic storm gains momentum over the hill state.

The state govt has asked people not to panic and said it was prepared to tackle any eventuality. "We are fully prepared. We have instructed all the agencies, be it government, NGOs, 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," deputy chief minister in-charge home (police) Prestone Tynsong told the media on Monday.

Urging the citizens not to panic, he said, "...the prediction says this cyclone will go on till tomorrow...We have specifically instructed all DCs not to sleep but to work 24x7 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.

East Khasi Hills, including Shillong, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and Eastern West Khasi Hills are most likely to be vulnerable, he added.

On closure of educational institutions, he said it was left to the different district administrations to take a decision based on the weather conditions. "The advisory notes given to the district administrations is to take necessary steps or take a decision on the ground situation as and when necessary," the deputy CM said.

Tynsong said govt has earmarked Rs 20 crore for each district administration to provide immediate relief to victims of natural calamity.