15 deaths, 6 injured, 347 houses in 246 villages damaged in Meghalalya’s rain related incidents: Shylla

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 9, 2024

Over 347 houses were damaged in 246 villages during the rain related incidents, which killed at least 15 people and injured 6 others in the West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills districts of the state. 

This was informed by Minister in-charge Revenue and Disaster Management Kyrmen Shylla on Wednesday. 

Shylla has described the incident as one of the worst situation faced by the Garo Hills region of the state.

“It is really sad. In my tenure, this I can say is one of the worst situation that we faced in Garo Hills region,” he said while adding “We have seen floods from time to time. Every year we have witnessed that but loss of lives this time has risen up to 15. It is really sad but there’s nothing that can be done by us but the government in collaboration with other departments are trying to reach out to all the deceased families.”

The minister also thanked the chief minister Conrad K Sangma for taking the initiative to personally visit all areas affected by flood and landslides due to heavy rainfall.

“He (CM) was so kind to personally visit the affected areas. I also personally thanked the local representatives of those areas because they have also worked tirelessly and giving their efforts to retrieve the bodies of those who have lost their lives,” he said.

According to him, releasing of compensation to the next of kins of all deceased victims have been completed. 

Further, the minister informed that a total of 15 lives have been lost, 6 injured,  246 villages affected and 347 houses damaged during rain related incidents in the state.

“(Of these), in West Garo Hills, 132 villages affected, 93 houses damaged, five persons died and 3 injured.

Also, 79 villages affected in South Garo Hills, 244 houses damaged and 7 deaths. 12 villages were affected in East Garo Hills, 1 house damaged, 3 deaths and 3 injured. 3 villages affected in North Garo Hills, 15 villages in South West Garo Hills with 8 houses damaged, 4 villages in Eastern West Khasi Hills, 1 village affected and 1 house damaged in East Khasi Hills,” he said.

He informed that one relief camp was set up in South Garo Hills and 68 in West Garo Hills. Over 6.28 lakh population and 655 households were affected and taking shelters in these relief camps and other arrangements. 

Asked, the minister said that damaged to infrastructures is huge this time and assessment is going on as we speak.

“The government has taken the initiative to replace these wooden bridges. May be it has not been completed but most of the bridges have been changed to concrete bridges,”he said.

As far as rebuilding damaged houses is concerned, Shylla said, “We will see what can be done from our side. As of now, we are trying evacuate all people, bodies have been retrieved and compensation has been completed.”

On mapping of landslide prone areas, the minister said, “Actually this (landslide) is unpredicted. We cannot predict what is going to happen next.

We have seen rain is quite high this time so we really cannot predict the situation. We have tried our best. The government as a whole and line departments have tried their best to tackle but this kind of situation is quite tough. So the only thing I can request is for people to be aware as there are situation which arises unknowingly.”

He also confirmed that there are no people stranded anywhere due to the flood situation in Garo Hills region.