Over 2.25 lakh people in 1172 villages affected: Dy CM
SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister R.C. Laloo on Friday said that the State Government has so far incurred a staggering loss of Rs. 1170 crore due to the recent flash floods and landslides which hit the State, particularly Garo Hills.
“The loss amount is expected to increase since the present assessment of loss has not been able to include many sectors,” Laloo, who is in charge of Revenue and Disaster Management, said while revealing the preliminary report on the damages here on Friday.
Providing a breakup of the damages, Laloo said that the preliminary estimated loss on houses and household items is approximately Rs.380 crore while the preliminary inflated loss on account of damage to transmission and power distribution is Rs 5.40 crore.
“The rough estimate of temporary restoration by PWD is Rs.105 crore while permanent restoration is estimated at Rs.385 crore,” the Deputy Chief Minister informed.
He further informed that the flash floods have also damaged check dams and irrigation networks and the estimated loss is expected to be at least Rs.20 crore while the loss to the health infrastructures has been pegged at Rs.12 crore.
“In addition, medicines will require an additional amount of Rs.18 crore,” Laloo said.
The Deputy Chief Minister further informed that several school buildings have been damaged and the loss is estimated at around Rs.5 crore while tourism infrastructures affected by flash flood have incurred estimated loss of Rs.1.06 crore.
He said that border areas have suffered losses due to damage to roads, bridges, footpaths, culverts, rubber plantation which is initially estimated at around Rs.1.60 crore while damage to standing crops on a total area of around 13,667 hectares have been estimated at around Rs.155 crore.
“Fishery ponds have been damaged and fish and fingerlings lost. The affected area is estimated at 350 hectares and the loss is estimated at Rs.8.08 crore. The loss of livestock has been significant and veterinary dispensaries, office buildings and quarters have suffered damages. The anticipated loss is expected at around Rs.6 crore,” Laloo said.
He also said that water supply infrastructure have suffered major damages and water supply schemes in Ampati, Baghmara, Resubelpara, Williamnagar, Tura, Nongpoh and North Division etc., have been damaged. The initial estimated loss is expected to be approximately Rs.70 crore.
To cope up with the massive losses the State has suffered, the State Government will seek Central assistance, Laloo said.
Pointing out that almost all districts in the State have suffered from landslides, Laloo said that the Garo Hills region has borne the worst brunt of nature’s fury through flash floods and landslides.
“The worst affected districts include North Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills followed by East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills. The numbers of Blocks affected is 27, while 1172 villages have been hard hit. A huge number of 2,25,214 people have been affected in the State, he said.
As many as 108 relief camps have been set up by the district administration in their respective districts which are offering shelter and relief to more than 32,220 people, he added.
“The death toll has been significantly high as compared to previous incidents of floods and presently stands at 41. Search and rescue operation is still on in Kharkutta of North Garo Hills and Pedaldoba-Rongsai and Damal Asim areas of Dadenggre in West Garo Hills,” Laloo said, adding that the death toll is expected to rise as rescue and relief teams are yet to reach the remotest parts of the State.