TURA, SEPT 22: The death toll of people who have lost their lives in the flood in Garo hills on Monday has risen to twelve with report suggesting that the death toll is likely to rise with reports still pouring in from various parts of the five Garo hills districts.
Incessant rains in the past 72 hours causing flood and landslides are creating havoc in the Garo hills region. Over 3 lakh people have reportedly been affected in the five districts of Garo hills.
Police, army and BSF personnel have plunged themselves in rescue operations in different part of Garo hills. Inspector General of Police (Operations) GHP Raju said, “Army and police team is overseeing the rescue operation in Bajengdoba area”.
In South West Garo Hills, seven people lost their lives in flood and landslides.Three people lost their lives at Banduraja village, near Betasing due to landslide, and three died due to flood at Bolchugre and one at Chipragoan village, both near Ampati town.
In Ampati and its adjoining area, the Daru and Dilni rivers are flowing above danger level.
South West Garo hills deputy commissioner Ram Singh said, “Landslides at several places including Malchapara on Tura – Ampati road and inundation in many places on border road between Katuli and Lukaichar, Teporpara, Gandhipara are cut off. Many low lying and interior areas are cut off and inundated. If rain stops, hopefully major roads will be opened by tomorrow”.
Singh also informed that BSF has provided relief camp in Lukaichar for about 400 villagers.
“District administration staffs have not been able to reach out to many interior areas due to flood water. We have designated few schools in highland area in Betasing as relief camps and distributing rations for the time being. We are making assessment of the district, as of now approximately, 1 lakh people are affected”, Singh added.
In North Garo hills district, Dainadubi and Bajengdoba area is completed flooded. Five people lost their lives due to landslides in Bugakol village, near Kharkutta.
In North and South West Garo hills districts , at least 2, 20,000 people are affected.
Over 100 villages in Bajengdoba area in North Garo Hills were totally submerged. Officials informed that people have remained stranded for several hours. Many flood affected people have taken shelter at a church in Moamari village and higher grounds at Amorpur village.
In North Garo Hills, the Soksan bridge, which connects Mendipathar to Resubelpara, was washed away. In West Garo Hills, the Ringgi bridge, which connects to civil sub-division office in Dadenggre, was washed away.
In plain belt areas of West Garo Hills comprising Phulbari, Rajabala, Tikrikilla and Selsella, over 1,50,000 people is said to be affected. “Officials have been deployed to oversee relief and rescue operations there”, said West Garo hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi.
The worst hit villages under Phulbari area are – Shyamnagar, Chibinang and Pushkunipara. The Brahmaputra and its tributary – Jinjiram is flowing above danger level and embankments have been breached in several places along Phulbari – Rajabala area.
“Due to continuous rain, the rivers are flowing with very strong current. The quantum of damages to roads and bridges are still being assessed as the restoration of traffic is being done simultaneously”, Bakshi added.
Bakshi also informed that eyewitness account states that eight people were washed away in affected areas of Tikrikilla and Chibinang area. “We have announced disaster relief for all the affected areas. BSF personnel have been aiding in rescue operation in Tikrikilla and Chibinang”, he said.
Bakshi also informed that three companies of NDRF team will arrive for West Garo Hills tomorrow.
“BSF team in border areas of Lukaichar, Kalaipara and other adjacent villages have been assisting in serving food. The forces are also coordinating with district administration officials to provide shelter to villagers, whose houses are marooned. Around 100 BSF personnel are involved in rescue in Phulbari and bordering area of Mahendraganj”, said Abhimanyu Singh, deputy commandant, BSF Garo hill sector.
The transportation routes to Ampati town are literally closed. The hills and plain area of Dadenggre sub-division were also affected.
There has been landslides at several places along the national highway 51 connecting Tura to state capital Shillong via Guwahati.
In South Garo Hills, several localities in Baghmara town were flooded and low lying areas remained completely submerged. Officials say that over 70,000 people were affected. The Simsang river is flowing above danger level in South Garo Hills.
Additional district magistrate of South Garo Hills, Aloysius C. Marak said, “Now that the rain has stopped, we are hoping that water will recede. There has been landslide and flooding in several low lying areas”.
The Williamnagar town in East Garo Hills have remained cut off due to heavy landslides in Samanda, Rongjeng, Darugre and Baiza area. Several households in Williamnagar market have been completely submerged.
Officials informed that temporary relief camp have been set up in Schools to oversee relief operations in Williamnagar.
In Tura town, landslides were reported from Chitoktak, Tetengkol, Araimile, Foresttilla, Danakgre, Rongkhon and Rongram. However, there were no casualties reported from these areas.
The heavy downpour has disrupted power supply for the last 24 hours across Garo hills. The restoration works are on, however, it may take several hours for power to resume.
Food and civil supply minister, Clement Marak held a meeting with deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills to take stock of the flood situation in plain belt areas, including Selsella and Garobadha.
Meghalaya chief minister, Mukul Sangma cancelled his trip to New Delhi and is visiting the affected areas on Tuesday.- From Our Correspondent
+ There are no comments
Add yours