Tura, June 18: A powerful thunderstorm that lashed Garo Hills early Tuesday morning has caused extensive flooding in many parts of the region, including Williamnagar town in East Garo Hills, the plain belt region of West Garo Hills and also triggered landslides.
Three villages under Selsella region of West Garo Hills have been inundated by flood waters compelling authorities to shift villagers to government shelters as a temporary measure.
“Those affected will be accommodated in government schools and community halls until the situation normalizes. We have around 340 shelters in the district that can be used in times of such emergency,” informed West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Jagdish Chelani.
He added that several landslides have occurred in several parts of Tura town but there was no danger posed to humans and dwelling homes.
“We are yet to get the full assessment of the damage as our field staff are out across the different blocks in the district conducting a survey,” said DC Chelani.
Tuesday morning’s storm was by far one of the most powerful in recent times, post cyclone Remal. It struck shortly after 3 AM and lasted for close to an hour bringing with it lightning and thunder accompanied by strong winds.
Hours ahead of the thunderstorm, the State Disaster Management Authority had issued a red alert to citizens urging them to take safety precautions before the storm hit.
The storm witnessed one of the highest numbers of lightning strikes and fortunately there were no casualties. A pine tree inside the heritage compound of the Deputy Commissioner’s residence in Tura that added to the scenery of the place was damaged after being struck by lightning during the storm.
In North Garo Hills, a mini pick-up truck capsized into flood waters while trying to cross a low lying sub-way at Dekachang in Resubelpara. This particular road known as the Gajing elephant corridor stretch is a lifeline that connects Mendipathar to Resubelpara towns.
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Locals blamed construction companies for the poor road condition. They say that the firm alloted for the construction project have failed to complete the road and the two bridges they were awarded.
“Children are unable to attend to school and office goers have also been impacted because of the damage on this particular stretch of the road,” said a concerned resident.
In Williamnagar town of East Garo Hills, the heavy rains led to streams and even the mighty Simsang river to rise above the danger mark. Water from the overflowing Simsang river, adjoining the town, seeped into nearby streams resulting in flooding of low lying areas.
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The intensity of the rains caused streams and brooks to swell up and burst its banks causing flooding of the Kusimkolgre area of Williamnagar.
In South Garo Hills, the Simsang was flowing above the danger mark and the plains of Bangladesh have witnessed extensive flooding as the river and its tributaries flow down the neighbouring country.
Read: Monsoon Fury in Meghalaya: 2 lives lost, 42 villages affected; Garo Hills hardest hit
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