Shillong, April 3: Hundreds of houses were damaged as hailstones and strong winds, accompanied by heavy rain, wreaked havoc in the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya.
According to official reports, strong winds ripped off the tin roofs of hundreds of houses and others were damaged when hailstones pierced the roofs. No casualty was reported.
Minor landslides also occurred in some places, following heavy rain over the last few days.
In Shillong, rainwater stagnated on roads as plastic waste blocked the drainage of water.
The inclement weather also discouraged many parents from sending their children to school.
In East Khasi Hills district, around 26 villages under Mawsynram community and rural development block were affected. According to a report from the Mawsynram block development officer, the damage was severe in Dangngar and Phodstein circles where 352 houses in 16 villages were impacted. Around 26 villages were affected under Mawsynram block.
In Mawphlang and Mylliem blocks in East Khasi Hills district, the roofs of a few houses were damaged.
In South West Khasi Hills district, over 300 houses were damaged in nearly 36 villages under Ranikor community and rural development block. One temporary camp was set up at Pancharing by the district administration for 15 affected families of the area.
In West Khasi Hills district, hailstones and strong winds damaged several houses in villages under Mairang, Mawshynrut, Mawthadraishan community and rural development blocks. Over 25 households were affected.
In East Jaintia Hills, minor damage to houses was reported in 10 villages under Khliehriat block and 16 villages under Saipung block.
In Ri Bhoi district, houses in around 15 villages were damaged as the roofs of some houses were ripped off by strong wind.
Block development officers are assessing the situation.
There appears to be no respite in sight. According to the meteorological department's weather forecast, heavy to very heavy rain is expected at a few places with extremely heavy showers at isolated places over Assam and Meghalaya during the next three days.
