SHILLONG/TURA/MAWKYRWAT, June 17: Fourteen people, including a six-month-old infant, died in the rain-induced floods and landslides in the state on Friday, taking the death toll in the past two days to 19.
Ten persons, including a BSF jawan, died in separate incidents of landslides in South West Khasi Hills. Five were from Dangar, two from Kenmynsaw and one each from Betgora A and Boro Ryngku.
The five victims from Dangar were identified as Kyllity Langpen (32), Daphishisha Langpen (12), Daskhemlang Langpen (5), Dawanbiang Langpen (3) and the six-month-old infant.
Robino Pynter (56) from Kenmynsaw, who was reported missing and suspected to be stuck under the debris, was declared dead on Friday evening.
The three others were identified as Drit Byrsaw (from Kenmynsaw), Sonali Banai (aged 7 years) from Boro Rynku and Nathan Dejel Sangma (12) from Betgora A.
A BSF jawan lost his life after a landslide crushed a barrack at Lalghat BOP near Borsora. The victim, constable Satish Kumar Singh, belonged to the 170th Battalion.
Four more persons died in South Garo Hills which witnessed one of the worst spells of overnight rains. A couple and their child were buried alive when landslide struck their rented house at the Bolsalgre locality in Baghmara. The couple was identified as Tengkam Sangma and Gamchi Sangma.
In another incident, a woman lost her life after being buried following a landslide in Siju in the same district. According to locals, Siju remained completely cut off after a section of National Highway 62 towards Nongalbibra was washed away.
The rains washed away Karukol and Rongdik bridges, snapping road connectivity to Baghmara.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo said teams from PWD, BDO, Fire & Emergency Services, Police and SDRF had rushed to the various incident spots. She said communication was disrupted at some places due to damage to roads.
The houses of R Khongsit of Sohra under Shella-Bholaganj Block and Shidalin Suting of Mawjam Village under Mawkynrew Block were reportedly damaged by the landslides.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each.
“My deepest condolences to the families of these individuals,” the CM tweeted.
In South Garo Hills, major areas, including the district headquarters Baghmara as well as Rongara, were reeling under floodwaters. National Highway 62 remained cut off after three major bridges, one at Karukol, another at Rongdik and the main bridge connecting Rongara, were washed away.
The water of Simsang at Baghmara almost touched the bridge. Most low-lying areas, including Baghmara and Rongara, were inundated.
In East Garo Hills, the Nengkhra-Williamnagar road was briefly blocked.
“There are no reports of any injuries or casualties and most blockages have been cleared. The Simsang river, along with its tributaries, is in a spate and a high alert has been sounded,” Superintendent of Police Bruno A Sangma said.
In North Garo Hills, many low-lying areas, including Bajengdoba, have remained inundated for the past few days. Major rivers, including Damring and Manda, have been flowing at close to the danger level for the past few days.
In Tura, heavy downpour led to water flowing dangerously at the Babupara area and Gandrak Waterfalls.
Many parts of the district remained cut off due to flash floods and mud slips. The PWD road from Purakhasia to Ampati via Salmanpara was blocked at Mebitpara. Another PWD road from Purakhasia to Tura via Gambegre was also blocked due to damage at Chenggapara and Jibalgre area. The State Highway 12 from Purakhasia to Ampati via Mahendraganj has been closed for heavy vehicles due to heavy soil erosion on the approach road of the Darong river bridge.
Many parts of Selsella remained submerged from the hills moving down to the plains. The authorities passed instructions that heavy vehicles should not ply on the route as the Balachanda bridge has seen major soil erosion.
The situation in the plains belt (Phulbari-Bhaitbari-Rajabala) is being monitored as the Brahmaputra and its tributaries are said to be flowing at close to danger levels since Friday morning. Most fields have already been inundated. The Ganol river too is currently in a spate.
Teams are on the ground to restore connectivity.
Incessant rainfall in South West Garo Hills affected 110 villages and a population of over 40,000 people.
Deputy Commissioner, SK Marak said 26 relief camps have been set up in three C&RD Blocks with further assessment being undertaken by the administration to understand the damage caused.
According to reports, 16 villages were impacted by the overnight rains in the Rerapara Block while 33 villages were impacted in Betasing. The C&RD Block of Zikzak was the worst hit. Sixty-one villages have been affected here.
“At least 40,000 people have been affected. This could rise further in the coming days. We have set up 26 relief camps in the district, 16 of them in the Zikzak Block. Further assessment of the situation will be undertaken tomorrow,” the DC said, adding the water is receding and the administration is monitoring the situation.
“Many people’s food stocks have been destroyed. Not all the affected are staying in relief camps. Some took shelter wherever they could. We will help them tomorrow,” he added.
Meanwhile, a massive timber bridge (973 metres), connecting villages of Patijhora and Koch Basti, has been washed away while many places were blocked due to landslides. After most of these were cleared, the roads are now accessible.
