SHILLONG, May 13: Heavy rainfall claimed the lives of two persons and caused massive destructions in Shillong and other parts of the state during the last 24 hours.
A tree fell on an auto rickshaw at Panitola, Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district on Friday morning, killing a minor. There were three occupants, including the driver, in the vehicle.
The tree was removed later from the road with the help of the public and an excavator.
Another person was killed in a landslide that occurred at the Jongksha village in the Mawkynrew block. The victim was identified as Sidres K Sahnoh (43).
The East Khasi Hills district, including Shillong, was severely affected.
The Wahumkhrah river along Demseiniong was flooded and the Deputy Commissioner instructed PWD, SDRF and police to immediately assess the situation and take necessary actions.
The guard wall of the BSF compound at Umpling was partially damaged after it collapsed due to heavy rainfall. A wall in the Madanrting block C reportedly also collapsed.
Another incident of landslide was reported from the Pynursla road. The NHIDCL was asked to clear the debris. The rains caused flooding at the Hubert Memorial School in Umpling.
Videos of the destruction went viral on social media. In some, vehicles are seen being washed away. In another, a vehicle is seen dashing a truck on the Shillong Bypass.
The movement of vehicular traffic at Nongstoin was briefly affected as the roads were clogged with water in Kynshi area.
The incessant downpour also exposed the shoddy construction of the inter-state bus terminal (ISBT) at Mawlai Mawiong. Water was seen leaked from the roof, seeping through the walls and flowing from one room to another on Friday.
Cracks were witnessed in the ceiling and also in the walls raising questions about the poor quality of materials used to construct the ISBT.
Meanwhile, damage to houses, major and minor landslides and rise in water level in both big rivers and streams were reported from several parts of South West Khasi Hills.
The Kynshi, Rilang, Umngi and Sala rivers were flowing above the danger level following incessant rainfall.
The famous hot spring at Mawsdei village, near Jakrem, was submerged by the Phot Umjarain river. Footbridges at Photumnew and Mawpon were almost submerged by the Sala river and the water level of Rilang river rose to touch the old footbridge at Wahsiej village.
Sources informed that some houses in Phlangkynshi, Mawlangwir, Rangmaw, Rangdikhew and Photjaud villages suffered minor damages.
A major landslide was reported in Ngundilang village on the Lad Jynrai – Wahkaji road stopping vehicular movement. Minor landslides were reported from different parts of Mawkyrwat C&RD Block, but the roads have been cleared.
Sohra recorded 316.2 mm of rainfall on Friday followed by Khliehriat (195 mm), Mawkyrwat (163 mm), Nongstoin (159 mm), Amlarem (145.5 mm) and Shillong (111.5 mm).
Meanwhile, the Metrological Centre, Shillong said moisture incursion is very likely to occur due to strong lower level southerly/south-westerly winds from the Bay of Bengal to the Northeast during the next four-five days.
“Under its influence, fairly widespread/widespread rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm/lightning and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely over Meghalaya during 13-16 May 2022,” the Centre said in a statement.
