MAWKYRWAT, May 27: The difficult and risky terrain of the Umngi river in South West Khasi Hills has forced the Search & Rescue Team (SRT), Shillong, and the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) team from Mawkyrwat to call off the search operation for the 22-year-old youth who slipped and fell into the river while fishing.
On May 25, a 22-year-old man from Lawblei village, located 15 km from Mawkyrwat, identified as Sainkupar Lyngkhoi, was suspected to have drowned after he slipped and fell into the Umngi river while fishing at a spot known as Shar-Shar, approximately 2 km downstream from the Umngi bridge along the Mawkyrwat-Shillong road.
Official sources told The Shillong Times that the terrain along the Umngi river, especially from the Shar-Shar area downstream, is extremely difficult and hazardous.
With the river’s strong currents intensified by the monsoon, rescue teams found it impossible to continue the search operation.
Sources also stated that the authorities have informed the residents of Lawblei village that, as of now, further search efforts are not feasible. The village authorities (Shnong) have been instructed to immediately report if they spot any signs of the missing person.
“As of now, we have stopped the search operation because of the risky terrain, but we might resume if we receive any reports from the Shnong,” the sources added.
