Shillong: Close to 6,51,03 people have been affected by floods and landslides across Meghalaya, according to the state’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla.
On Wednesday, Shylla reported that 246 villages and over 347 houses were damaged in the rain-related incidents, which have claimed at least 15 lives.
Describing the situation as one of the worst he has seen in the Garo Hills region, Shylla expressed his dismay. “We have seen floods from time to time. Every year we have witnessed but loss of lives this time has risen up to 15. It is really sad as a government in collaboration with other departments we are trying to reach out to all the deceased families,” said Shylla.
He also expressed gratitude towards Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who has been visiting the affected areas and working tirelessly to ensure that missing bodies are recovered.
In West Garo Hills, 132 villages have been affected, with 93 houses damaged. Five persons have died, and three others were injured in the incidents. In South Garo Hills, 79 villages have been affected, with 244 houses damaged and seven deaths reported. East Garo Hills saw 12 villages affected, with one house damaged, three deaths, and three injuries.
North Garo Hills reported three villages affected, while 15 villages and eight houses were damaged in South West Garo Hills. In Eastern West Khasi Hills, four villages were affected, while in East Khasi Hills, one village and one house suffered damage.
Shylla informed that one relief camp has been set up in South Garo Hills and 68 camps in West Garo Hills to accommodate those affected.
When asked if the government plans to rebuild the damaged houses, Shylla stated that their immediate priority is to evacuate affected people and provide relief.
On mapping landslide-prone areas, the minister noted, “Landslides are unpredictable. We cannot predict what is going to happen next. We have seen rain is quite high this time so we really cannot predict the situation. We have tried our best. The government as a whole and line departments have tried their best to tackle but this kind of situation is quite tough. So, the only thing I can request is for people to be aware as there are situations which arises unknowingly.”
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