Flash Floods in Meghalaya's Garo Hills
Continuous rainfall in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya since Friday midnight has resulted in a tragic toll of 10 deaths and significant destruction, including the washing away of bridges and loss of vital road connectivity.
One of the victims, Santa N. Marak, 57, was working in a kitchen alongside her 28-year-old daughter, Moralistic Marak, when a fatal landslide struck Koinadubi in Dalu village on Friday morning. While Santa lost her life in the incident, Moralistic sustained injuries and has been admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Dalu. The relentless rainfall has triggered numerous landslides, mudslides, and flash floods across the Garo Hills, claiming lives and injuring several others.
The natural calamity has severely impacted infrastructure, with wooden bridges washed away, houses damaged, and road connectivity from Dalu to Baghmara and other areas completely severed.
In response to the crisis, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma reviewed the flood situation and directed district administrations to seek assistance from the government to ensure that relief efforts are effectively carried out in the affected areas. Instructions have also been issued to identify alternative routes to restore road communication in the Dalu-Baghmara region.
Rescue operations, led by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are currently underway. Areas like the Silkigre Primary Health Centre (PHC) are in urgent need of assistance.
Significant damage has been reported in multiple localities, including Reserve Gittim, Modoltila, Rishipara, Hawakhana, Sweeper Colony, Kamipara, Sunny Hills, Matchikolgre, Akonggre, and others. Teams from the Tura Municipal Board (TMB) and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) are still assessing the extent of the devastation.
The incessant rains commenced on Friday midnight, resulting in three civilian casualties in Dalu and seven individuals being buried under a landslide in Hatiasia Songma village, located in South Garo Hills.
District administrations have also been instructed to expedite the release of compensation to the affected families. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is actively engaged in search and rescue operations.
Additionally, rainwater flowing from the West Garo Hills has created a flood-like situation in Assam’s Mankachar, leading to the inundation of several villages. As the region grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, the focus remains on providing relief and restoring normalcy.
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