SHILLONG, June 22: The Meghalaya unit of the BJP has asked the state government to work out alternative means of reaching out to and rescuing people in areas totally cut off by flash floods and landslides.
State BJP vice-president and convenor of the Garo Hills Bernard N Marak said connectivity issues have prevented the party from donating rice, medicines and clothes to the villagers in South Garo Hills and other disaster-hit districts.
“Electricity and mobile connectivity are down for almost a week and there’s no way to communicate. Alternative means of communication should be arranged so that the donors can reach out to them,” he said on Wednesday.
Marak said people in the affected areas are sending out distress messages and it is painful that they have remained cut off for days. He requested the political leaders to refrain from criticising the efforts of some departments and individuals to reach out and provide relief to the affected people.
“In this time of crisis, all leaders should unite to save lives rather than criticise. We hope all help reaches the affected families soon,” he said.
The Garo Hills region is one of the worst-hit by landslides and floods due to incessant rain. Many lives have been lost and many villages have been totally cut off with bridges being washed away and floodwaters engulfing or eroding the roads.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Dalu MLA Brening A Sangma, officials of various departments and Border Security Force personnel in Tura visited areas along the border of West and South Garo Hills districts to assess the damage caused to the roads and bridges due to heavy rainfall in the last few days.
Senior BSF officials led by DIG Alok Kumar Singh received the chief minister at the Dobasipara camp of the force. The latter appreciated the BSF personnel for helping the flood-hit people in the border areas.
The Chief Minister later directed officials of the PWD and other departments to facilitate the return to normal life in the border areas.
