Three persons were killed and more than 690 families were rendered homeless in Meghalaya’s South West Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills districts when a severe hailstorm hit several villages on Wednesday and Thursday nights, officials said on Friday.
“Three persons died and 50 others were injured in the hailstorm. They were admitted to CHC at Mawthengkut. One injured person has been referred to Shillong Civil Hospital,” Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Revenue and Disaster management R.C. Laloo told the assembly today.
Preliminary reports also indicate that many houses were destroyed and about 692 families were affected, he said.
Two relief camps have been set up and and relief materials like rice, dal, blankets, mosquito nets have been dispatched last night from Nongstoin to the affected villages, officials said.
An amount of Rs 30,000 has been paid to the next of the kin of the dead persons as advance for ex-gratia payment of Rs 1.5 lakh have accorded sanction by the government, Mr. Laloo said.