Staff Reporter

Shillong, Oct 8: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today visited landslides and flood affected areas of Dalu in West Garo Hills and Atisia Songmong in South Garo Hills.

He visited families of next of kin killed in the landslides at different villages under Dalu C&RD block in West Garo Hills.

The chief minister handed over an ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh each for individuals who died in multiple landslides to the next of kin.

He also expressed grief and sorrow over the incident that caused the lives of the people in the unfortunate incidents.

At Rongkhon Songgital in Tura, the chief minister handed over ex-gratia to the wife of (L) Bijoy Marak, a teacher by profession whose car was swept away by the flooded waters that claimed his and his son Wian Chigado R Marak’s life on Oct 4. An ex-gratia amount of Rs 8 lakh was handed over to (L) Marak’s wife.

At  Karonggre village, Dalu, the chief minister met the family members and handed over ex-gratia of Rs. 4 Lakhs to the family of 18 year old Sanira Marak who died in a landslide.

At Sorokpara village in Dalu, he visited the grieving parents of Miando P Marak, a 5 year old boy who died in a landslide while playing behind their house on Oct 4.

The chief minister expressed great sadness while meeting the parents who were devastated from the loss of their child.

At Tibapara under Dalu, the chief minister visited the family of Tengseng R Marak who tragically died as a result of a tree falling atop his car in Songsak.

He also visited the family of Santa Marak who was buried alive in a landslide at Koinabhui village in Dalu. She is survived by her daughter who also sustained injuries from the incident.

Many households have been affected due to landslides in the area.

He took stock of the area to access the damages and interacted with the affected residents.

He held a review with the District Administration of West Garo Hills to assess the damages by flash floods and landslides in Dalu C&RD Block and to monitor the relief operations conducted so far.

In Dalu C&RD Block, natural calamities have devastated 2630 households and claimed 6 lives. The District Administration has set up 68 Relief Camps and has provided food and shelter to the flood and landslide victims.

In the review, the chief minister directed officials to conduct a study of rivers and water bodies and the flood-prone area for flood mitigation and undertake flood management initiatives to avoid such damages to life and property in the future.

He has also directed the immediate repair of roads and bridges in the Block and ensure supply of essentials to the affected population.

He also met the inmates of the relief camp at Dalu and heard their concerns.

Review meeting held

A review meeting was held with the Chief Minister and District Administration of South Garo Hills in Dimapara to evaluate the relief measures and inspect the damages caused by flash floods and landslides in the District.

A total of 40 villages were impacted in 3 blocks by the natural calamities, affecting a population of 2510 in 462 households. 7 individuals from a family were buried alive by the landslide that swept away their home and their lives in Atisia Songmong village under Gasuapara.

The chief minister stressed on the need for flood management initiatives and flood survey to prevent loss to precious lives and property.

He also directed officials to undertake repair works on priority and ensure all assistance to affected residents.

From Dimapara, he reached Atisia Songmong, and walked for about 2 km to reach the incident spot.

He handed over the ex-gratia of five victims out of seven from the same family to Watison Marak and the remaining two victims to Baseng Momin, who lost his wife and one and half year old son.

He took part in a prayer ceremony held for the victims at the village and also heard the grievances of the people. He assured that the government will ensure that restoration of roads and electricity will be expedited.

SDRF continues mitigation measures

Meghalaya’s State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) continued in its mitigation measures in the flood hit areas of Dalu C&RD Block in West Garo Hills.

A team of SDRF personnel today was engaged in clearing the trees which have fallen on electrical lines at Koinabhoi, Dalu to aid in the restoration of essential services in the area.

Meanwhile another team of SDRF carried out distribution of relief materials at Jijikapara village in Dalu C&RD Block. The SDRF team has been stationed in flood hit Dalu area since last Friday following flash floods due to heavy rainfall.