No let up in GH flood scene

SHILLONG: Flood situation in Garo Hills remained grim on Thursday as new areas have been inundated in West Garo Hills.
The latest wave of flood has affected 1,21,535 people  in 144 villages.
Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi in his report to the Revenue and Disaster Management department said that 23,559 households had been affected by the flood. 21 designated relief camps have already been setup.
In addition, 110 country boats have been requisitioned and placed at different locations for relief and rescue operations, an official source said adding that water level is increasing.
Several villages under Phulbari, Rajabala, Singimari, Paham, Bhaitbari and Hallidayganj areas were inundated by flood caused by heavy rains for several days with the situation worsening due to back-drafting of the Brahmaputra and Jinjiram rivers.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday carried out an aerial survey of the flood affected areas in the plains belt areas of West Garo Hills and announced gratuitous relief for 10 days for   the affected population.
MPs raise Garo Hills flood in Parliament:  Meanwhile, two MPs from Meghalaya -Conrad Sangma and Wansuk Syiem – on Thursday raised the Garo Hills flood issue with the Central government and in Upper House of Parliament respectively, our Delhi correspondent adds.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his meeting with the Tura MP expressed concern over the flood situation in Meghalaya and as well as in other Northeastern states.
Sangma also requested Singh to send an inter-ministerial delegation to the North-East to assess the situation.
The Home Minster informed the NPP chief that a decision regarding visit of a Central team to the flood-affected areas would be taken after receiving reports from the state governments. He assured all possible help from the Centre to all the flood-affected states.
Raising the issue through a special mention in Rajya Sabha, Syiem urged the Centre to provide all possible help to the flood-affected people of Garo Hills.