DC Cachar Briefs on Preparedness and Measures Amid Cyclone Remal, Urges People to Stay Indoors

To brief about the preparedness of the Cachar District Administration in view of the cyclonic storm Remal, DC Cachar, Rohan Kumar Jha held a press conference in his office this evening. Several measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the district’s people, including the schools’ closing, and halting ferry service keeping the disaster rescue forces on high alert. He also briefed about the connectivity issue of Barak Valley with Guwahati and the railway link.

In the Press Conference, Jha said, “In response to the severe impact of Cyclone Remal, the District Commissioner (DC) of Dima Hasao has issued a directive for all commercial vehicles travelling from Barak Valley to reroute through Meghalaya instead of the Haflong route starting from 8 PM tonight until June 1. Despite the Meghalaya route being operational, frequent landslides and mudslides in Sonapur due to incessant rainfall have slowed down traffic, although the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) team has been promptly clearing blockades to keep the route open”.

Railway connectivity has also been affected. DC Cachar, Rohan Kumar Jha, reported, “Some trains were cancelled today, and some scheduled for tomorrow are delayed. If the rain stops, railway connectivity could be restored in 6-8 hours. However, some tracks inside tunnels and in the hill section near Jatinga are submerged, and for safety reasons, several trains have been cancelled or postponed.”

Despite these disruptions, there is no immediate threat to the supply of essential commodities. “We have sufficient stocks of essential goods,” assured DC Cachar.

In a precautionary move, all schools, including private institutions and colleges, will be closed tomorrow. “If conditions do not improve, this closure may extend for another day,” added Jha.

The district administration has urged residents to avoid water bodies and submerged paddy fields, emphasizing the increased risk of accidents. “Please do not go near water bodies. Even if you have a submerged paddy field, avoid going near it. Do not stand under trees or in open areas during thunderstorms due to the high risk of lightning strikes. Stay indoors during thunderstorms,” advised Jha.

Additionally, all boat services have been temporarily halted due to turbulent water conditions in all the rivers and the risk of drowning. “We have shut down the ferry service for the time being,” mentioned the DC.

The press conference, held by DC Cachar Rohan Kumar Jha, highlighted the region’s preparedness and ongoing response efforts to mitigate the effects of Cyclone Remal. The administration continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as needed.