SHILLONG: The flood situation in Meghalaya remained grim on Tuesday though water level in some parts of Garo Hills receded even as death toll due to the devastation caused by flash flood and landslides rose to 25.
As many as 24 people are still reported missing.
According to official sources, seven deaths were reported from South West Garo Hills, five from North Garo Hills, one from East Garo Hills, eight deaths in Shillong, three deaths in Nongstoin and one death in Khliehriat.
A number of roads in the state are blocked due to landslides particularly those leading to Garo Hills including NH-51, AMPT road, Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Williamnagar-Tura road, Rongram-Phulbari road, etc.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma visited Tura on Tuesday and undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas.
Sangma instructed the officials to speed up relief works.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Revenue and Disaster Management Department, R.C. Lyngdoh, also reviewed the progress of relief on Tuesday and has instructed priority for relief including medical facilities and opening of roads at the earliest.
According to official sources, water levels receded in worst affected areas of Chibinang and Tikrikilla and the low lying areas of Rajabala, Chibinang, Selsella, Tikrikilla, Charbatapara and Pushkurnipra are still inundated.
“People from the affected areas have been evacuated to safer places and the government has already requisitioned boats to evacuate people who are marooned in the flood,” an official source said.
The National Highway 51 connecting Tura to Assam continued to be blocked and more than 100 vehicles carrying essential goods were stranded in Rari Mendal area due to landslides and mudslides.
The Public Works Department was clearing the debris to reconnect Tura and other districts of Garo Hills with the rest of the country, official sources said.
The road from Tura to Dadenggre is restored but from Dadenggre to Phulbari remains cut off as the Dadenggre bridge has been washed away.
MeECL has restored power in some parts of Tura but many parts of Garo Hills still remain in darkness.
Overall death toll
in State
South West Garo Hills: 7
North Garo Hills: 5
East Garo Hills: 1
Shillong: 8
Nongstoin: 3
Khliehriat: 1
Total: 25
