Meghalaya CM Reviews Monsoon Readiness, Orders Grassroots Activation and Risk Mapping

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recently led a high-level review meeting with Deputy Commissioners and officials from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) to assess the state's preparedness for the approaching monsoon season. The session focused on enhancing the readiness and resilience of all districts in Meghalaya against monsoon-related disasters such as floods and landslides, which have historically impacted the state during the rainy season.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Sangma underlined the urgency of establishing a swift, efficient, and well-coordinated disaster response mechanism. He emphasized that effective disaster response is critical to ensuring timely and efficient relief to affected populations. To this end, he directed all Deputy Commissioners to immediately initiate planning and coordination meetings with Block Disaster Management Committees (BDMCs), followed by consultations with Village Disaster Management Committees (VDMCs) and Village Executive Committees (VECs). These meetings are expected to strengthen grassroots-level preparedness and ensure every administrative tier is equipped to respond to emergencies.

A key point of the discussion was the reactivation and full operationalisation of the VDMCs through the respective VECs across all districts. The Chief Minister instructed that a thorough review of the state’s Disaster Emergency Helpline system be conducted, with improvements implemented to ensure rapid response times and effective communication during crises. Furthermore, districts that have not yet conducted mock drills or disaster preparedness exercises were directed to carry them out without delay.

CM Sangma also stressed the importance of proactive and data-driven planning. He asked concerned departments to analyse existing data on soil composition and the locations of water bodies to map out vulnerable zones that are prone to flooding or landslides. This information is expected to guide targeted interventions in high-risk areas and help in the formulation of district-specific disaster preparedness strategies.

In addition to immediate response planning, Sangma called for the formulation of comprehensive disaster mitigation guidelines tailored to the specific topographical and climatic conditions of Meghalaya. These guidelines are to be prepared by the relevant departments in consultation with local bodies and experts to ensure practical and actionable solutions.

The Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to strengthening the state’s disaster management capabilities at the grassroots level. He emphasized that the goal is not just to respond to disasters but to build community resilience that can mitigate the impact of future natural calamities. This includes increasing awareness, improving infrastructure, and ensuring all stakeholders—from district officials to local villagers—are trained and prepared.

This initiative is part of the broader vision of the Meghalaya government to minimize the impact of monsoon-related risks through early planning, comprehensive data analysis, and community-driven preparedness efforts. The meeting concluded with clear directives and timelines for each district to implement these preparedness measures ahead of the monsoon season.