SHILLONG/NONGPOH/TURA: Incessant rainfall for the past 72 hours in the state has left a trail of devastation in the state claiming in its wake two lives while another was reported missing in the city.
Two rescue workers – Sonitopon K. Marak and Silnang R Marak (both 26 years) – died at Police Reserve even as three children were miraculously rescued from underneath a pile of debris at Mawlai Umthlong. Banshanlang Ryngad was missing after he was swept away by strong currents of the Wahumkhrah river.
The bodies were recovered later. SDRF, Fire Service & Police personnel were deployed at the site but rescue and cleanup operation was called off as the water rose to an alarming level.
The three children, aged 10, 6 and 2 years, were taken to NEIGRIHMS.
32-year-old Abrose Umdor, resident of Mawlai Nongpathaw, had a narrow escape after the branch of a tree felon him at PTS, Mawroh. He has been shifted to Shillong Civil Hospital.
Landslides were reported from 3rd Mile, Laitumkhrah, Nongrimbah and Zig Zag, Rilbong. No casualty was reported in the landslides. The PWD worked late into the night to clear the debris from the Zig Zag Road.
In another case, the retaining wall of a house collapsed at RR Colony. MUDA was yet to provide details into the incident.
on Thursday.
At Rhino Point and Mawiong Marten, uprooted trees blocked the road before they were removed by Police and Forest officials. An uprooted tree partially damaged a house at Lawjynriew Mawpat but no injuries were reported. Police, BDO & Forest officials cleared the tree.
Rain washed away portions of the Riangdo-Bamil road, PMGSY road at Mawshynrut-Thaiem and the Mawshynrut-Hahim road affecting traffic movement.
A house including a tea stall located on the bank of Umran River at Umnget village in Ri Bhoi collapsed due to landslide and rising water levels on Thursday. No casualty was reported in the incident.
The incident was caught on camera as onlookers witnessed the house collapsing at around 10 am.
Romesh L. Nonglait, owner of the house, informed that two of his brothers miraculously escaped the incident but all his belongings were washed away.
South Garo Hills was on Thursday cut off from West Garo Hills after the swelling waters, brought about by incessant rainfall, washed away the already-weak Dumnikura timber bridge located on NH-62, the highway directly connecting the two districts.
The washing away of the bridge is bound to affect the functioning of various departments in South Garo Hills as many of the employees are from West Garo Hills who travel back and forth to work.
A video of the bridge being washed away has already gone viral on social media, where people on both sides can be seen running for safety as the bridge gave way to the powerful torrents.
According to West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, the washing away of the bridge has led to the closure of NH-62 and the PWD is looking for alternatives to keep Baghmara connected.
“The department is making efforts to connect Baghmara from Nengkhra-Siju-Karukol side, Chokpot-Siju side and parallel road from Ramchenga/Dumnikura to Dalu,” Singh said, adding that the arrangement will only be for light vehicles due to frail bridge at Gasuapara.
Meanwhile, South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, HB Marak, has informed that the PWD has been directed to look into it, adding that the restoration of the bridge would take time as the entire section was washed away.
With regard to travel to the district, especially by employees from outside who work in various departments in the district, Marak said they can still use the Williamnagar-Siju-Baghmara route.
Landslides in West Khasi Hills
The downpour also caused landslide in various parts of West Khasi Hills.
Landslides occurred on NH 44E and at Mawiaban debris from land slips blocked the road leading to Nongstoin Civil Hospital.
A portion of the National Highway at Nongspung was washed away on Thursday.