SHILLONG/NONGSTOIN, June 18: Nature’s fury continues to wreak havoc in the state with the death toll rising to nine as continuous rainfall triggered flash floods and mudslides in several parts of the state.
Over 3,590 people have been affected in as many as 130 villages in the state.
Executive Director of State Disaster Management Authority, Matsiewdor War Nongbri on Sunday said 350 houses have reportedly been damaged while 20 animals have died so far.
She also said that reports have been received about damages suffered by 11 infrastructure projects in the state.
One person died after falling into a culvert in Nongpoh on June 11, a delayed report said here.
The victim, identified as Shine Lyngdoh, fell into a drain along NH-6 while crossing the Veterinary office at Nongpoh during a downpour. The body was later fished out from a culvert near the Session’s Court, Nongpoh.
Five more persons died after a vehicle they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge in Mawsynram area earlier in the week.
The deceased have been identified as Defender Boney (28, M), Edwis Sohtun (38, F), Chamberlain Sohtun (52, M), Atiar B. Lynser (40, M) and an infant, all residents of Thieddieng village.
One of the passengers of the ill-fated vehicle that plunged into a gorge at Mawsynram has been marked as missing. Though the victim is presumed dead, the body is yet to be retrieved.
Two minor siblings had died in Nongstoin on Saturday after being buried in the debris from a mudslide while one fisherman was washed away in the same district, taking the death toll to nine.
The body of the fisherman, identified as Shillingbest Langrin, was retrieved by villagers of Maweit on Sunday afternoon.
The body was retrieved from the Wah Blei river at Sdad Dylla in West Khasi Hills.
Two other persons who were with Shillingbest were also washed away in a flash flood when they had gone to Wah Blei for fishing on Saturday morning.
The Sordar of Maweit village said the search will continue till they retrieve the two bodies.
In East Jaintia Hills, the District Disaster Management Authority has sought help from the National Highway Authority of India to clear the highway at Sonapyrdi where traffic has come to a standstill due to relentless mudslide.