Meghalaya Rain Havoc: 14 more deaths including a 6 month old baby and a BSF
On Friday, 14 people were killed in the state’s rain-induced floods and landslides, including a six-month-old baby, bringing the total death toll to 19 in the last two days.
Ten people killed in separate landslides in the South West Khasi Hills, including a BSF jawan. Dangar had five, Kenmynsaw had two, and Betgora A and Boro Ryngku had one each.
Kyllity Langpen (32), Daphishisha Langpen (12), Daskhemlang Langpen (5), Dawanbiang Langpen (3), and the six-month-old newborn are the five fatalities from Dangar.
On Friday evening, Robino Pynter (56) of Kenmynsaw, who had been reported missing and believed to be trapped under the debris, was pronounced dead.
Drit Byrsaw (from Kenmynsaw), Sonali Banai (aged 7 years) from Boro Rynku, and Nathan Dejel Sangma (12) from Betgora A were the other three.
A landslide at Lalghat BOP near Borsora killed a BSF jawan. Constable Satish Kumar Singh, the casualty, was a member of the 170th Battalion.
In the South Garo Hills, where one of the heaviest spells of nocturnal rainfall occurred, four additional people died. When a landslide devastated their leased house in Baghmara’s Bolsalgre neighborhood, a couple and their child were buried alive. Tengkam Sangma and Gamchi Sangma were recognized as the pair.
In a separate instance, a woman was killed after being buried by a landslide in the same district’s Siju. Locals say Siju is still shut off after a part of National Highway 62 in the direction of Nongalbibra was swept away.
Conrad K Sangma, the Chief Minister, expressed his sorrow over the deaths and provided an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for each victim.
The CM wrote, “My heartfelt condolences to the families of these individuals.”
In the South West Garo Hills, constant rain afflicted 110 communities and a population of nearly 40,000 people.
Deputy Commissioner SK Marak said 26 relief camps have been set up in three C&RD Blocks, with the government conducting further assessments to determine the extent of the damage.
According to sources, the overnight rains in the Rerapara Block impacted 16 villages, while 33 villages in Betasing were impacted. The C&RD Block in Zikzak took the brunt of the damage. Here, sixty-one villages have been impacted.
“At least 40,000 people have been affected,” says the statement. In the next days, this could grow even more. In the district, we have 26 relief camps, 16 of which are in the Zikzak Block. The issue will be assessed further tomorrow,” the DC stated, adding that the water is receding and the government is keeping an eye on the situation.
