Five dies in Tura, landslide toll now 13

TURA, JUNE 16: With five deaths reported from Tura on Tuesday morning the landslide death toll in Meghalaya has risen to thirteen. In a landslide a family lost four of its members including mother and her three children at Nakam Bazaar and 70 years old lost his live at Sepoy Colony locality. The incessant rains since last night have cause landslides in several parts of Garo hills. The incident took place around 6:30 am. The bodies were recovered around 9:45 am from the debris. The deceased have been identified as Pinky Chetri, 35, Vijay Chetri, 19, Priya Chetri, 15 and Rohan Chetri, 11. Eyewitnesses to the incident say that Vijay died in his attempt to save his sister Priya, after she was stuck under mud. The family had lost their father a few years ago. Two members of the family survived – Pinky’s sister and her father. Few months back they had taken the house on rent. Till Monday eight people had lost their life in East Jaintia hills, East Khasi hills and Garo hills due to landslide and lighting. .The family who lost their dear ones did not want post mortem to be conducted, as the cause of death was a natural disaster. Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakhs to the next of kin of the five people who died. He held a review meeting with the officials and ordered for a task force to be constituted to survey the building and establishments and survey all habitations to find out whether they had taken relevant permissions from the district urban planner and whether they confirm and adhere to building bye-laws. Sangma also visited the landslide spot and interacted with the local people and assured them of the support of the government. He highlighted the need for proper drainage and sanitation at the place of the incident. West Garo hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi said that the administration had issued a flood and rain warning over the past week and are bracing for more rains. He said, “Landslides too will be another issue given the weather. We have asked for advisories to be sent out and the police and home guards team will be working to ensure evacuation of people to safer places.” In East Garo hills the continuous rains have led the Simsang river to flow above the danger level. Residents have been advised to move to higher ground and designated relief camps. Yesterday a bridge connecting Tura to Williamnagar in East Garo Hills was washed away in rain. South Garo Hills also remains cut off after the wooden bridges along NH-62 gave way a few days ago while in North Garo hills, even a little rain has been leading to inundation. The chief minister has also directed the deputy commissioner to urgently have a meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Tura Municipal Board, District Urban Planner and others to assess the situation.- From Our Correspondent