Meghalaya CM in SGH to assess damages caused by heavy rain

SHILLONG, JUNE 21: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday reviewed the worst-hit South Garo Hills district, where road communication through National Highway – 62 has been completely cut off for the past four days with over 40,000 people affected.

South Garo Hills, along the India – Bangladesh border has witnessed multiple landslides and many areas like Maheskola and Siju remaining without any road link.

At least six bridges, including suspension and wooden bridges have been washed away in the district with mobile and electricity connection disrupted. Electricity connection has been disrupted in Baghmara town, Karukol, Rongsa Awe, Siju, Rongara, Gasuapara, Chokpot, amongst other villages.

Officials informed the Chief Minister during the review meeting that restoration work is currently underway. Indian Air Force on Tuesday late afternoon airlifted essential commodities at Maheskola.

A total of eight people have lost their lives in landslides at Bolsalgre, Siju and Rongsa Awe, of which one is a minor aged 4 years and two persons are still missing from Rongsa Awe.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will meet the family of the deceased. He is traveling to Siju from Karukol by boat, a journey that will take at least 2.5 hours and then trek for 6 km to reach the families at Siju and Rongsa Awe.

An ex-gratia amount of Rs. 4 lakh each for a person deceased in a family will be released during the visit of the Chief Minister.

A total of 30 villages including Siju, Emangre, Jadi, Nongalbibra, Karukol, Maheskola, Kalu, Kanai, Bonbera, Rongru Asim have been cut off from the district headquarter of Baghmara. The Chief Minister has directed the officials that restoration of roads and electricity should continue.

Officials have informed that in the next 2-3 days, the road connectivity along NH-62 will be restored for light motor vehicles and at least 20-25 days would be required for roads to be restored for heavy vehicular movement.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister visited affected areas under Dalu block in West Garo Hills and reviewed the situation with officials of the district. In Dalu area, at least 5 wooden bridges have been damaged disrupting communication in several villages and soil erosion affecting villages along the Balka river.

By Our Reporter