A 42-year-old woman was killed on Tuesday and five others feared dead after being swept away in the Tihiang river, which was swollen following heavy downpour in South West Khasi Hills district.
The deceased has been identified as Ladianghun L Mawlot (42) of Mawjai village. Her children, Balamanbha L Mawlot (16) and Lapynshai L Mawlot (13), another occupant of the jeep Ibashisha Lyngdoh (24) and her one year old baby Daman Lyngdoh and Ferdinand Myrthong (45) have gone missing.
South West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Maxwell Syiem informed that the incident took place between 5:40 am to 6 am when eight people were travelling in a jeep bearing registration number ML 05Q 4115 from Mawjai village in Warsan Lyngdoh area to Mawkyrwat.
Syiem said the Fire and Emergency Service and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel are stationed in the area to carry out the rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the HYC Warsan Lyngdoh area said that the bridge over the river collapsed several months ago because of slipshod work of the contractor.