Equipment worth several crores damaged
TURA: The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) is staring at damages worth several crores to its equipment and transformer lines following torrential rainfall that has been lashing the entire Garo Hills region since Saturday.
Top MeECL officials have confirmed that damages are extensive to its equipment as flood waters have submerged transformer lines and washed away power lines in many parts of the five districts in Garo Hills.
Power supply to Garo Hills was snapped on Sunday after the 33 KV line developed snags in its supply to the areas of Mendipathar, Bajengdoba, Williamnagar, Phulbari, Garobadha, Mahendraganj, Baghmara, and Tura.
High velocity winds accompanied by heavy rains snapped power lines and uprooted electrical poles in many parts of Garo Hills.
“Damage to transformers and power lines in the two circles of Williamnagar and Tura are extensive. In Williamnagar alone we are estimating as high as Rs.1.5 crore in damages to transformers and a similar picture is emerging in the Tura circle which covers the entire western belt,” informed MeECL officials on Monday.
They added that it would take as long as one week for complete restoration of power lines in Garo Hills.
The worst hit is North Garo Hills region which falls under the Williamnagar circle. As many as four 200 KV transformers have been submerged in Bajengdoba region on Monday morning snapping electricity to the entire region.
The intensity of the storm, which gained momentum on Sunday night, was so strong that the force of the wind literally bent a tower line at Bajengdoba region of North Garo Hills on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, efforts are on to get local lines restored with MeECL staff working round the clock to provide electricity to some of the affected towns, including Tura.
“Currently we have been able to restore power to some localities of Tura and Baghmara,” informed MeECL officials on Monday evening.
A look at the damages
Flood affected villagers seek shelter in a Church in Moamari village of North Garo Hills
Soksan bridge connecting Mendipather with Resubelpara damaged by flood waters
Dekachang bridge approach road damaged by flood waters in Resubelpara
Jinjiram river in the palins belt flowing above the danger mark causing extensive flooding to Shyamnagar, Chibinang and Pushkunipara villages
Tura road connectivity to other parts of Garo Hills including Assam cut off due to landslides
Williamnagar road cut off at Samanda bazaar as sub-way culvert gets washed away
Baghmara market low lying areas inundated by flood waters which threaten the Bong Laskar memorial
Two young boys swept away by flood waters in Garobadha rescued by locals on Monday afternoon
Tura town affected by landslides in several localities including Chitoktak, Araimile, Tetengkol among other areas
Blocked roads due to landslides and floods
Tura to Williamnagar road
Tura to Baghmara road via Dalu
Baghmara to Siju-Nangalbibra
Tura to Chokpot
Tura to Williamnagar
Tura to Bajengdoba-Resubelpara-Mendipathar
Tura-Garobadha- Rajabala-Phulbari-Tikrikilla
Tura-Ampati-Mahendraganj
Aglanggre-Sonanpara road
Rongram to Selsella via Babadam road
Damalgre-Mellim-Boldamgre road
Rongram to Jangrapara via Damal Asim road
Dadenggre-Damal Asim road
Mangchim-Bhajamara-Rajabala road
Tikrikilla-Dajugre road
Rongram-Phulbari Hill road