The death toll due to flood triggered by incessant rains in Garo Hills rose to 17 with the recovery of bodies of two children in a septic tank pit in the North Garo Hills today.
The victims, identified as Silarin Marak (8) and Tangme R. Marak (3), had accidentally fallen into the pit behind their home amid the flood.
The incident happened in Bate Apal-Bangsi Apal village on October 5.
So far, three people have died in East Garo Hills, five in West Garo Hills, seven in South Garo Hills and two in North Garo Hills.
Meanwhile, the body of Silje R. Marak (60), the matriarch of the family of seven persons buried alive in a massive landslide at Atisia Songma village in South Garo Hills has been pulled out today.
The landslide occurred on October 4 when a section of the hill behind the house collapsed due to heavy rainfall. Bodies of six family members were pulled out from the mud yesterday.
Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma, along with MLAs Sengchim N. Sangma and Kartush Marak visited the landslide area at Hatisia Songma to take stock of the situation.
The flood and landslides have caused widespread destruction to houses, roads and bridges in Garo Hills since October 4.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority, 54 villages and 4,954 people from 330 households have been affected by flood and landslides across the Garo Hills region.
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.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will be visiting the flood-affected areas of Garo Hills tomorrow.
He will visit Dalu, Atisia Songmong and other neighbouring areas affected by the flash floods and meet families of the victims.
Sangma will also hold a review meeting with senior officers of the West and South Garo Hills, the two worst affected districts.
According to an official at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the chief minister will take stock of the overall damage to life and property during the review meeting.
