Tura, Oct 5: Garo Hills is reeling under one of the worst floods it has faced in years, showing the damages the fury of nature can cause as well the vulnerabilities of the humans in front of it. The ongoing calamity in the region has left atleast 10 people dead, among them are 3 children and 5 women.

Heavy rains for the last two days have triggered landslides, mudslides, and swelled rivers that have washed away and damaged several wooden bridges and cut off road connectivity to many of the remote areas.

In one of the worst tragedies in the calamity is the death of an entire family of 7 members in South Garo Hills, which was buried by a landslide trigged by heavy rains on Friday. The tragic loss took place in the remote village of Hatiasia Songma in South Garo Hills district.

The family was inside their house, which falls under the Gasuapara Block, when a section of the hill behind their house came crashing down on the house, leaving them no chance to escape. The entire house got buried in the tonnes of soil from the hill.

The local villagers rushed to help and tried to dig through the soil and rubble but were unsuccessful. Making the situation worse was the floods and landslides in other parts that have cut off the communication, delaying the arrival of SDRF and NDRF teams by several hours.

As the filing of this report, the bodies were yet to be retrieved even as SDRF and NDRF teams have been trying hard to recover them.

Among the seven-member family, there are two children: 8-year-old Silbera R Marak (granddaughter), and 1.5-year-old Dimse R Marak (great granddaughter, daughter of lt. Chengbe). Other members are: 60-year-old Silji R marak (mother), 39-year-old Merina R marak (Daughter), 50-year-old Sama N. Sangma (son-in-law), 22-year-old Chengbe R marak (granddaughter), and 14-year old Desrang R marak (grandson).

On Friday, three casualties were also reported in Dalu area of West Garo Hills, where another child fell victim to the nature’s fury. He has been identified as 5-year-old Miardo P. Marak from Sorokpara.

Two other causalities in West Garo Hills are 57-year-old Santa N Marak from Koinabui and 18-year-old Sarika M. Marak.

Three persons have also been reported injured in West Garo Hills. They are: 28-year-old Moralistic N Marak from Koinabui; Parcella A Sangma and Fedrick A Sangma from Northern Hawakhana.

So far, 4,954 people representing 330 households have been affected, 58 houses damaged by the calamity. Also 54 villages have been affected with 10 animals also losing their lives.

In terms of infrastructure, 18 Roads, 1 PHC, 1 Sub Centre, 1 School, 1 culvert and a pond have been damaged across West Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills.

Meanwhile, sources have informed that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is likely to tour the landslide and flood affected areas on Tuesday.

Read: Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum stages protest against proposed 12,500 mega watt dam

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