At least 10 people, including seven of a family, were killed in flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall that ravaged Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district in the past 24 hours. The incessant rainfall in the district has also caused landslides in the Gasuapara region, according to officials.
Tragedy befell the family of seven, who died after getting trapped inside their home in the remote village of Hatiasia Songma when a landslide struck. Of the seven deceased, three were minors. Three people were also killed in rain related incident in the Dalu area.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma held a review meeting on the situation across the five districts of Garo Hills. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and ordered immediate ex gratia payment to the next of kin of three persons from Dalu and seven people from Hatiasia Songma who were confirmed dead. During the meeting, Sangma suggested the use of bailey bridge technology for rebuilding efforts, which will allow for rapid assembly and transportation, the officials told PTI.
Meanwhile, personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF have been deployed to carry out search and rescue operations in the worst-affected areas. The incessant rains in the region have been going on since midnight on Friday. Due to rain, a bridge washed away in the Gasuapara region.