Meghalaya, September 18: Over 1 lakh 20 thousand people have been affected due to a fresh flood that hit west Garo hills district.
Landslides, disrupting road communication, damaging properties and inundating have taken place in the low-lying areas of the region. While no loss of life has been reported from any part of the region so far, the downpour-triggered damage was mostly seen in the urban areas, particularly Tura, where the storm left in its wake landslides and mudslides in congested areas of the town. Over 40 villages have been affected as of now. The Samsung, Jinjiram and Ganol rivers are overflowing above the danger mark.
MLA Rangsakona rushed to Sankarigre village under Rerapara development block of Rangsakona in West Garo Hills to access the situation. The entire village accommodating about 100 households has gone underwater after heavy downpour since last night. The houses have been destroyed and the people are staying on the roads. They have set up cooking facilities there itself. The MLA has contacted the district administration for flood relief. The PHE is providing water supply to the people by sending tankers from time to time.
“Heavy rains have caused landslides in various places across the district. We have activated the Disaster Response teams and PWD (Roads) is already clearing roads,” said West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh.
As the threat of more landslides in the areas of Hawakhana and Teteng A’ja still looms, citizens from the area have been advised to remain alert. The areas have already seen vital damage caused to houses, vehicles and other properties.
