New Delhi: A tragic toll of 10 lives, including seven members of a single family, has been reported in rain-induced flash floods that ravaged Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills district over the past 24 hours.
Incessant rainfall triggered landslides in the Gasuapara region, leading to the devastating incident in the remote village of Hatiasia Songma. The family, including three minors, perished when a landslide struck their home.
#WATCH | Dalu, Meghalaya: 10 people died in landslides and floods in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills district following incessant rainfall since October 4. pic.twitter.com/uSDdlm91TT
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2024
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, deeply saddened by the loss of lives, convened a review meeting to assess the situation across the Garo Hills region. He ordered immediate ex gratia payments to the families of the deceased and deployed teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for search and rescue operations.
The heavy rainfall has also wreaked havoc on infrastructure and connectivity, impacting the Dalu-Baghmara road with multiple landslides. Floods have destroyed wooden bridges, and electricity supply has been disrupted in several areas. The IMD has forecasted rainfall over the next five days in most parts of the Northeast, raising concerns about further potential damage and casualties.
The Chief Minister has suggested using Bailey Bridge technology for reconstruction to address the immediate challenges posed by the floods and restore infrastructure.