20 incidents of landslides, felling of trees reported in Shillong due to heavy rainfall

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 10, 2019

SHILLONG: Over 20 incidents of landslides, felling of trees and collapse of retaining wall took place in Shillong due to heavy rainfall during the past few days. 

According to the officials of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) set up by the district administration, there are over 20 incidents of landslides, felling of trees and collapse of retaining walls across the city during the last two days. 

Several houses were also affected due to floods, they said. Many vehicles including two wheelers were also damaged when a retaining wall collapsed and fell on them at Motinagar. 

According to them, there has been no report of casualty so far.

Incessant rainfall has wreaked havoc in the state triggering landslides in many places while water in streams and rivers reached the danger level. 

Umkhrah river, one of the polluted rivers in the city has reached the danger level. 

Plain areas in the city were also inundated while water logging because of poor drainage system caused flash floods in areas like Pynthorbah and Polo. 

Flood water also entered the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and nearby grounds at Polo. 

Football matches conducted by the Shillong Sports Association at Polo grounds were also postponed due to heavy rain.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Minister in-charge Revenue and Disaster Management Kyrmen Shylla said that he is taking stock of the situation and is still waiting for the full report on the various incidents occurred in the city and across the state. 

“Landslides and floods have affected many parts of the state especially in Garo Hills region,” he said.

According to reports available with effect from April 1 to July 10, the minister said landslide had occurred at Mawlyngngad village in which one house was partially damaged and at Malki and Mawiong causing road damaged on Tuesday. 

He said in South Garo Hills, landslide which took place at Kapaspara village also partially damaged one house.

Asked, Shylla said an 11 year old girl died after she was swept away by flowing stream on June 27. Her body was retrieved on July 3. 

He said according to report, a total of 4789 houses were damaged in 853 villages affecting over 57416 people during the period from April to July.

The minister further informed that the department is preparing a list of requirements to ensure that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is fully equipped.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills District Matsiewdor War Nongbri has also chaired a meeting to review the overall emergency preparedness of the response teams in Shillong 

A government communiqué said that sincere efforts have been made to restore power supply in several areas of the state which was disrupted due to damage of electric lines and other infrastructure as a result of landslide, falling of trees and tree branches on electric lines. 

“But due to reason beyond control, power supply in some areas could not be restored in time. In certain cases, restoration of the same requires interventions of other line departments like forest, PWD, and others,” the communiqué said. 

The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) has also requested consumers and public at large to bear and co-operate with the office while restoring the power supply. 

Parties that put up hoardings/billboards near electric lines were also asked not to cause any interruption to electric lines to avoid interruption of power supply and any untoward incidence. 

The MeECL requested the public to take due care on account of snapped conductors if any, to avoid any harm and also inform MeECL offices in such an event.