Amphan | 1 died, houses damaged as heavy rain lashes Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 26, 2020

One person died and over 400 houses were damaged in the heavy rain and wind that lashed across the state.

Bringson Rani was reportedly drowned at Ktieh Madan stream at 6 pm of May 23. His body was found the following day at 7.30 am at Madanbitaw village under Sohiong C&RD block in East Khasi Hills district, a report from the state disaster management authority (SDMA) said on Tuesday.

The report informed around 420 houses in 35 villages were damaged while affecting over 5,034 persons due to heavy rainfall.  Of these, 7 houses were fully damaged.

An RCC bridge and RRB road were also damaged, it said.

The report further said that as many as five villages under Tikrikilla C&RD block in West Garo Hills District were affected due to flash flood which occurred on Sunday while cyclonic storm also hit areas under Resubelpara, Kharkutta and Bajendoba C&RD block and municipal area in North Garo Hills.

Many trees were uprooted even as electric poles have collapsed in areas of Greater Shillong, Mawpat, Mawphlang, Mawryngkneng, Mawkynrew, Mawlai, Khatarshnong, Sohiong, Shella, Mawsynram, Pynursla and Mylliem blocks under East Khasi Hills due to cyclonic storm.

Three villages under Nongstoin block in West Khasi Hills and areas under Laskein, Amlarem and Thadlaskein blocks in West Jaintia Hills were also affected during the incident.

Minister incharge Revenue and Disaster Management Kyrmen Shylla told reporters that  a total of 5 relief camps have been set up to rehabilitate affected families.

According to him, immediate deployment of state disaster response force (SDRF), state police, fire service and boats have been made to the affected areas.

On whether quarantine centres were also affected due to the incidents especially in Garo Hills region, the minister however said details are still being collected as of now.

“We are also waiting for reports on the number of roads being washed away in the affected districts,” he said.

He said the department is also waiting for reports with regards to a number of landslide incidents in West Jaintia Hills district and others.

To a query, the minister maintained that the department is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality or situation arising due to natural calamity.

He said the department has sanctioned Rs 25 lakh to each deputy commissioner for dealing with such situation.