Shillong: Meghalaya is bracing for a dry spell. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma chaired a State Council on Climate Change meeting to ready the region for El Niño. The state expects lower rainfall between November and March. Officials must now finalize standard operating procedures for various climate scenarios.
The government is mapping vulnerabilities in every district. Sangma ordered the immediate activation of District Climate Adaptation and Resilience Task Forces to boost public awareness. He wants elected representatives to lead these local initiatives. "The November-March period will be critical. El Niño is a reality, but its impacts are difficult to predict. Our approach must therefore be based on preparedness and adaptation, backed by clear plans and SOPs for different scenarios," Sangma said.
Plans include setting up Block-Level Climate Action Teams and reviving springs. Crews will prioritize planting trees in vulnerable catchment areas. The council also pushed for better inter-departmental coordination to expand natural farming. Farmers will receive training to fight issues like soft rot in ginger crops. Regular reviews will track progress at the village, block, and district levels.
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