Shillong, May 30: Two persons, including a 45-year-old mother, lost their lives due to landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains on Friday.
The East Khasi Hills District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shanborlang Warjri, informed that the 45-year-old mother, Klasliya Kharkongor, died in a landslide that occurred at Laitkyntung village, falling under the Laitkroh-Khatarshnong Block.
Informing that while the father and children were sleeping in another room, Warjri explained that the mother and two other children, aged 22 and 14 years, were trapped in the room where the landslide struck.
He informed that the mother succumbed to her injuries, and the two injured children were taken to Swer PHC.
“According to the report from the Medical Officer at Swer PHC, their conditions are stable, and they are receiving medical attention,” Warjri, who is also the Additional Deputy Commissioner, said.
In another unfortunate incident, a man named Samborlang Tariang drowned at Wah Krot in Mawbynna under Pomlakrai village while attempting to cross the river at Ksehbilat around 3:30 pm.
Warjri confirmed that his body was later retrieved and that a post-mortem exemption had been granted. The magistrate and BDO visited the site, and necessary steps were taken to shift the body.
Meanwhile, a report came in about a tree falling at Umshyrpi at 5:32 am. The incident response team, which had been deployed, cleared the fallen tree immediately.
The DDMA CEO also reported a landslide at Mylliem-Umtyngar road under Khatarshnong at around 6:25 am, which affected one shop.
The road was also damaged. “We immediately contacted the NHIDCL, and efforts to clear the road started early this morning,” Warjri explained.
“As a precaution, we had to divert traffic heading towards Sohra. Traffic towards the EAC side was rerouted to Pomlakria and Laitlyngkot areas. We have advised people to avoid traveling through the Mylliem-Umtyngar road. If travel is unavoidable, an alternative route should be taken,” Warjri added.
Additionally, there were reports of trees falling at Synod College and Civil Hospital Shillong parking lot, both of which were cleared by the DFO (Social Forestry).
Reports also indicated landslides at Lummawbah, 11 Mer, and Langkyrding, as well as water logging near BDW International School and MPRO Family Complex.
Due to water logging, Warjri said that little could be done at the time, but adding that the latest reports confirm that the water has receded, and the incident response team remains on alert.
As of now, two houses, two shops, and six other houses have been damaged due to the landslides, the DDMA CEO reported.
He also mentioned that the three C&RD Block which has been affected were Mylliem, Laitkroh-Khatarshnong, and Mawpat.