Continuous downpour raises fears of landslides
SHILLONG: With Monsoon lashing the State for the past few weeks, the threat of landslides looms large in vulnerable areas of Shillong city with memories of the tragic incidents of the last two years reignited in the minds of the residents.
Speaking on the matter, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority, P.S. Dkhar, on Tuesday said all the line departments like Fire and Emergency Services, PWD, MeECL and the Forest department have been directed to remain alert in view of the incessant rains for the past few days.
Stating that there are no advisories for people as of now, he said that even the Block Development Officers in rural areas of the district have been asked to remain on alert and immediately inform about any landslides or any natural calamity to the district administration.
According to Dkhar, the district administration follows the warning of the Metrological department and accordingly informs the public.
In September 2015, two women were buried alive under a massive pile of debris following a landslide at Lama Villa area of the city triggered by heavy rainfall.
Exactly a year earlier, eight people lost their lives in a landslide at Barapathar (Mawbah) following incessant rain.
Last week, the Mawsynram-Lawbah road in East Khasi Hills remained blocked for six days following a major landslide triggered by heavy downpour and traffic flow was partially restored only on Saturday.
Apart from the city, the Guwahati-Shillong four-lane road is also prone to landslides and there have been several instances of the disaster on the road in the last few years.
An NHAI official on Tuesday said it is impossible to identify any vulnerable areas where landslides will take place but however, the implementing agency has put up rock fall arrester, netting high strength boulder nets and gabion walls in different stretches of the highway to prevent any mishap.