A portion of an arterial road connecting Siju, Rongara and Nagalbibra collapsed in Baghmara, South Garo Hills due to heavy rains today.
The road is also an important connection to East Garo Hills and onwards to South West Khasi Hills. Traffic was affected by the incident. Vehicles could no longer progress to the Deputy Commissioner’s office from the centre of town as the collapsed section lies between the two ends of Baghmara today.
Baghmara recorded 58.9mm of rain today, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.
Locals blamed a lack of maintenance, particularly the absence of retaining walls for the damage. Construction work on the road’s edges could have also worsened the scope of the problem.
Garo Hills has been experiencing persistently heavy rainfall over several days, which has resulted in landslides, house collapses and flooding. Local authorities have been working overtime to clear obstructions. There were landslides that blocked at least four important roads in the district – Dimapura-Ruga, Baghmara-Chokpot, Baghmara-Maheshkola and at Bolsagre. These were swiftly reopened due to quick action by the authorities.
