Shillong, Oct 5 At least 10 people have died in two separate landslides in Garo Hills of Meghalaya. Heavy rains have been falling here since Friday midnight. Officials said on Saturday that heavy rains and landslides have badly affected all five districts of the region.
An official said that seven people have been confirmed dead in Hatiyasia Songma village of South Garo Hills district. All seven people, including three women, were buried due to the landslide in the village.
The official said that three more villagers have lost their lives in Dalu in West Garo Hills. A total of 10 people have died. Continuous rains since Friday midnight have caused floods in both hilly and plain areas here. Officials said that details of casualties and other damages are being collected.
Several teams of National and State Disaster Response Force are now conducting search and rescue operations in the affected areas. The official said that due to the landslide, road connectivity from Dalu to Baghmara and other places has been disrupted.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma held a virtual review meeting on the ongoing flood situation in Garo Hills. The flood has affected all five districts, especially South Garo Hills and West Garo Hills. The CM directed the administration to explore alternative routes to restore road communication from Dalu to Baghmara area. Also, the government has been asked to take any kind of assistance and ensure that relief work is done in the affected areas.
The Chief Minister has also directed that the wooden bridges which have been washed away and damaged should be rebuilt. He has recommended Bailey bridge technology for construction. He said in the meeting that all the wooden bridges in the state have been identified and new bridges will be built by replacing them.
Officials said that the power supply which was disrupted due to heavy rains and landslides will be restored in most parts of the region.
