Shillong, March 17 Over 5,000 people have been affected and around 1,000 houses damaged as a storm accompanied by heavy rain wreaked havoc in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district, officials said on Tuesday.
Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said a powerful storm and heavy rain lashed the district on Monday night.
He said the worst-affected areas include villages under Umling and Jirang blocks.
At least 1,028 houses were damaged, and more than 5,000 people have been affected, although the number may rise as reports from some areas are still awaited, Baranwal said.
The storm also damaged livestock and crops, he said.
However, no fatalities or injuries have been reported so far, the official added.
The severe weather also disrupted power supply in several parts of the district, he said.
The district administration has distributed relief materials, including food items, warm clothing, tarpaulins and other essentials, to the affected families.