TURA: The arrival of monsoon in Garo Hills has resulted in record rainfall across the region for the last few days, with the most intense occurring since Friday night and well into Saturday.
This led to a rise in the water levels of the Jinjiram and Brahmaputra rivers which flow through the plains of West Garo Hills district.
Landslides and tree fall incidents have been recorded with a major landslip at Shallang in West Khasi Hills district through which the national highway connects Tura with Shillong via Nongstoin.
The road was closed to traffic for a few hours as earth movers were pressed into service to clear the debris.
In the plains, water levels from the Jinjiram river were flowing above the danger mark and have begun to cause flooding of the low lying areas.
“Flood waters have started coming into Rajabala and Bhaitbari towns from the overflowing Jinjiram river. We are shifting Bhaitbari primary health centre to a new building since flood waters have begun to flow in but there is no danger to life,” informed West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh on Saturday evening.
He also mentioned that in the Tikrikilla region which witnessed flash floods and extensive damage to homes two weeks ago, there has again been a substantial rise in water levels from a nearby river but there is no danger.
“We are monitoring the situation continuously,” added the deputy commissioner.
Meanwhile, the Rajabala police station in the town has already been affected by the flood waters from the Jinjiram inundating the entire surroundings of the station by Saturday morning.
“We have requisitioned boats for communication since the area and compound around the station have been flooded,” informed West Garo Hills district SP MGR Kumar.