WKH: Cyclone kills four

SHILLONG, MAR 20: Tragedy struck West Khasi hills district on Wednesday night when four people, including a six-month-old baby, were killed and at least 27 others injured in a cyclonic storm in Meghalaya’s  West Khasi Hills district, officials said Thursday.

Those who were killed have been identified as Edmund Nongsieg, 20, Pynibor Nongsieg, 12, Phibanroi Marngar, 25, and her six-month-old baby.

Meghalaya deputy chief minister RC Laloo, who holds the revenue and disaster management portfolio , announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs.1.5 lakh each to the kin of those killed in the storm.

Tragedy struck when a high velocity winds, accompanied by rain and lightning late Wednesday night rendered hundreds of families homeless and uprooted trees, and telephone and electric poles.

West Khasi hills deputy commissioner S Kharlyngdoh told reporters over the phone that four people died on the spot when their house was destroyed in the cyclone.

Kharlyngdoh also informed that twenty-seven people have been admitted to a government hospital at Nongstoin. While 15 of them are in a critical condition, seven were discharged after first aid.

Officials have rushed to the six affected villages to take stock of the situation, while the government has set up relief camps at four places to accommodate the displaced villagers.- By Our Reporter