SHILLONG, June 13: Thirteen people have their lives and more than 5.43 lakh people and 581 villages have been affected due to incessant rainfall in the state since April 1.
So far, 3,890 houses have been damaged fully and partially besides public roads, shops, schools and Anganwadi centres.
Minister for Disaster Management, Kyrmen Shylla on Monday said the flood situation in the Garo Hills region and the state beyond is being constantly monitored and assessed.
He said that in the last 24 hours, a landslide following heavy rainfall has occurred at CEO, TMB Tura in West Garo Hills and a flood in Barengapara Subdivision in which 24 people have been affected.
He said that the deputy commissioners and officials, especially in Garo Hills have been put on alert and are constantly monitoring the ground situation.
The minister said the department is providing assistance to the affected and the deputy commissioners have been provided Rs 50 lakh for providing relief wherever required.
“We have been taking preventive measures wherever possible but the unpredictable nature of calamities warrants alertness,” he said, adding that contractors have been asked to adhere to engineering guidelines to minimise damage to infrastructure.
Shylla said PWD Roads and line departments have mechanisms to identify vulnerable areas and work out safety measures accordingly, but it is not possible to predict when a disaster will strike. “People need to be extra careful while travelling during the rainy season, especially in landslide-prone areas. We are trying to reach out wherever we can,” he said.
He further said the 15th Finance Commission has earmarked funds to the department in view of the natural calamities occurring every year. The department has been trying to provide minimum relief and assistance to the affected people with these funds, he added.
Shylla further said the department will soon start compensating the victims of fire incidents beginning with the East Jaintia Hills district.
He admitted the ex-gratia or compensation amount is less “but we cannot go against the norm”.
Umiam bridge
Shylla said the department concerned must have done safety tests on the Umiam bridge to make it usable. He assured to take up the safety aspect for discussion with the line departments.
“I am sure safety tests have been done. Had the life span of the bridge been over, it would not have been fit for vehicular use,” he said.
Shylla said if the reports reveal that the bridge is in danger, the government will stop the movement of vehicles as it does not want the loss of lives and property.
He pointed out that the Disaster Management department needs the cooperation of the people in maintaining roads and bridges. Vehicles continue to carry twice the prescribed weight of 10 tons, he said.
The minister said those using the bride should think of the difficulty in relocating the people living downstream if a disaster strikes.
Deputy Chief Minister and PWD Minister, Prestone Tynsong had earlier said the state government has directed the chief engineer of PWD to inspect the area where an alternative bridge will come up.
The opposition had stated that a hairline crack on the bridge will be disastrous; lives and connectivity will be lost and the state will be dragged into darkness.
An MeECL official had earlier said an order was issued recently that vehicles weighing more than 40 tonnes should not ply on the dam.