Shillong: Meghalaya is scrapping its reactive disaster policy. Disaster Management Minister Lahkmen Rymbui told the Assembly on Wednesday that the state will now prioritize mitigation over post-disaster cleanup. The shift aims to stop catastrophes before they begin. Projects are already underway to tackle forest fires, lightning risks, and flooding.
The government is putting cash into the State Disaster Mitigation Fund. They are building retaining walls and fixing drainage systems to harden infrastructure. Rymbui says these projects are essential investments. "The approach under the Disaster Management Act now encompasses prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience," Rymbui stated.
Officials are running mock drills across the state. They are also building better early-warning systems to alert residents fast. This strategy treats safety as a preventative measure. The state wants to cut disaster losses through structural work and community grit.
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