Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday visited the landslide and flood-affected areas of Dalu in West Garo Hills and Atisia Songmong in South Garo Hills to assess the damage and provide support to the victims’ families.
He visited the families of those who lost their lives in the landslides across different villages under the Dalu C&RD Block in West Garo Hills. The Chief Minister handed over an ex-gratia amount of ₹4 lakh to the next of kin of each individual who died in the multiple landslides.
Sangma expressed his grief and sorrow over the tragic incidents that claimed lives in these unfortunate events.
At Rongkhon Songgital in Tura, the Chief Minister handed over ex-gratia to the wife of (L) Bijoy Marak, a teacher by profession, whose car was swept away by floodwaters, leading to his and his son Wian Chigado R. Marak’s death on October 4. An ex-gratia amount of ₹8 lakh was handed over to Marak’s wife.
In Karonggre village, Dalu, the Chief Minister met with the family of 18-year-old Sanira Marak, who died in a landslide, and handed over ₹4 lakh in ex-gratia to the family.
At Sorokpara village in Dalu, Sangma visited the grieving parents of Miando P. Marak, a 5-year-old boy who died in a landslide while playing behind their house on October 4. The Chief Minister expressed deep sadness upon meeting the devastated parents.
At Tibapara, under Dalu, Sangma visited the family of Tengseng R. Marak, who tragically died when a tree fell on his car in Songsak.
He also met with the family of Santa Marak, who was buried alive in a landslide at Koinabhui village in Dalu. She is survived by her daughter, who sustained injuries in the incident.
Numerous households have been affected by landslides in the area. The Chief Minister assessed the damage and interacted with the affected residents.
He also held a review meeting with the District Administration of West Garo Hills to evaluate the damage caused by flash floods and landslides in Dalu C&RD Block and to monitor the relief operations conducted so far.
In Dalu C&RD Block, the natural calamities have devastated 2,630 households and claimed six lives. The District Administration has set up 68 relief camps, providing food and shelter to the flood and landslide victims.
During the review, the Chief Minister directed officials to conduct a study of rivers, water bodies, and flood-prone areas for flood mitigation. He also urged the implementation of flood management initiatives to prevent such loss of life and property in the future.
Sangma further instructed the immediate repair of roads and bridges in the block and to ensure the supply of essential goods to the affected population.
He visited a relief camp at Dalu, where he met with the camp’s residents and listened to their concerns.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma also held a review meeting with the District Administration of South Garo Hills in Dimapara to assess the relief measures and inspect the damages caused by flash floods and landslides in the district.
A total of 40 villages across three blocks were impacted by the natural calamities, affecting a population of 2,510 across 462 households. Seven members of a family were buried alive in a landslide that swept away their home in Atisia Songmong village under Gasuapara.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for flood management initiatives and surveys to prevent future loss of life and property.
He directed officials to prioritize repair works and ensure all necessary assistance for the affected residents.
From Dimapara, Sangma traveled to Atisia Songmong, walking approximately 2 kilometers to reach the incident site.
He handed over ex-gratia payments for five of the seven victims from the same family to Watison Marak, and for the remaining two victims to Baseng Momin, who lost his wife and one-and-a-half-year-old son.
Sangma participated in a prayer ceremony held for the victims at the village and listened to the grievances of the people. He assured them that the government would expedite the restoration of roads and electricity.
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