By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Shocked and grieved by the unprecedented destruction, hundreds of flood affected people followed the Chief Minister wherever he went during his visit to Chibinang area of West Garo Hills on Sunday recounting the horror of the night of September 21 which took away their households and in some cases the near and dear ones.
Chibinang is among the worst affected in West Garo Hills with maximum damage to property and loss of lives.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma visited affected people and took stock of the damaged infrastructure besides offering condolences to the affected people.
Besides Chibinang, the Chief Minister also visited Bholarbhita , Rajabala and Selsella. He was accompanied by Assembly Speaker and local MLA of Phulbari, A T Mondal, Chief Executive Member, GHADC, Alphonse A Sangma, MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Bajengdoba, Brigady Marak, MLA and Parliamentary Secretary, Ashahel D Shira, MDCs and government officials.
He also visited Rajabala market and witnessed the changed course of the river and large scale erosion at Chibinang.
After visiting the flood affected areas, the Chief Minister directed block officials to assess the damage to households in all the affected blocks by gram sewaks and others including damages of household and utensils.
Agriculture and Veterinary departments were asked to work out the assessment as per revised norms of relief manual to claim funds under SDRF and NDRF.
The Chief Minister also directed that appropriate measures be taken to prevent outbreak of diseases. Authorities have also been asked to ensure that there is no dearth of medicines, bleaching powder, phenyl etc., in the affected areas.
The District Administration was directed to declare issuance of gratuitous relief for another seven days.
It may be mentioned medicines are being airlifted by Air Force helicopter to Tura from where they are being dispatched to the various CHCs /PHCs.
Floods dampen festive spirit in Garo Hills
: The devastating flood in Garo Hills has dampened the festive spirit in the region where two major festivals of Durga Puja and Bakrid are to be observed next month.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi said that the floods have dampened the Puja spirit and celebration of Bakrid is not even being contemplated by members of the minority community who are yet to come to terms with the losses.
Meanwhile, PWD Roads assessed the damaged caused by the heavy floods in the region and made a presentation of the same in a review meeting held on Saturday with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma in Tura.Garo Hills, ironically has been on the receiving end of natural calamities this year.
CM’s directions
Block officials to assess the damage to households including damages to utensils in all the affected blocks by Gram Sewaks and others.
Instruction given to officials of PWD Roads to register FIRs and cases against persons illegally involved in stone quarries that has affected the ecology in the hills.
Agriculture and Veterinary departments asked to work out the assessment as per revised norms of Relief Manual to claim funds under SDRF and NDRF.
District administration to declare issuance of Gratuitous Relief for another 7 days following which the situation will be reviewed again. It was initially declared for a week.
Clearing of debris: In this regard the officials of PWD Roads are to direct contractors to engage local people after forming committees to clear the debris which could be used for generation of bio mass.
The district administration has been asked to work out the requirement for books and uniforms for the damaged and affected schools and chalk out other emergency measures for the school children in view of the impending examinations.
Idea of developing waterways in the flood affected areas by dredging the silt and depositing in the areas just next to the PWD roads for facilitating habitations settling in the highland areas near to the roads.
Measures to prevent outbreak of diseases and to ensure supply of medicines, bleaching powder, phenyl etc.
Capture all damages relating to public and community assets including assets of MPLADS, CRRP, SRWP, CMSRDF, MGNREGA and other schemes.