Shillong, July 1: Six families have been evacuated near Baghmara in South Garo Hills and shifted to a nearby relief camp on Wednesday after heavy rains damaged their houses. Landslides triggered by rain have fully damaged one house and partially damaged two other houses, an official from the District Disaster Management team said.
The other three families were evacuated as pre-emptive measure as their houses are on the hillside that is showing signs of slumping if rains continue. Infact, some of the area around the houses has already slumped. These landslides have occurred at Malikona, near district headquarters Baghmara.
South Garo Hills District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO), Pipson Ch. Marak informed the six families have been shifted to a nearby government lower primary school, which is usually used as a relief camp. They have been provided with rations such as rice, dal, salt, and cooking oil, besides masks.
The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rains across the state till July 5.
On Wednesday, landslides occurred at many places across the district blocking many important roads but all were cleared by the line departments by evening and electricity supply was also restored. However, one landslide was reported near Jaksongram in the evening, and efforts were on to clear it at the earliest.
Meanwhile, over 50 people have been affected by the landslides with over 20 affected in Malikona alone. However, they haven’t been shifted to relief camps yet.
Road communication completely cut off
A wooden bridge connecting Baghmara and Rugapara through Dimapara has been washed away. Another wooden bridge was washed away at Dosik on the Gitinggre Road.
This has led to 25-30 villages being cut-off to Baghmara. They have no alternate route out of the area.
These villages will have to wait for a new bridge to be constructed before the road transport can be resumed.
Also, Mindikgre village was affected with the market area being flooded.
More detailed were awaited till the filing of this report.
