Incessant rainfall led to the death of two people in East Khasi Hills today, while three were injured. Several landslides occurred and roads were blocked in the state. Power lines, homes, shops and other buildings were damaged and even the National Highway 6, connecting Shillong to Guwahati, was hit by flooding, leading to delays in travel.
The two dead were identified as Klosliya Kharkongor (50) of Lumkyntung village under Laitkroh-Khatarshnong block and Samborlang Tariang (35) of Mawbynna, Pomlakrai. The former died in a landslide, while the latter’s death was due to drowning.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma reviewed the adverse weather conditions in the state and issued directions to all Deputy Commissioners to be extra alert and vigilant for the next 24 hours, especially for landslides and flash floods in low lying areas. During the review meeting he ordered that districts be divided into zones for effective disaster management.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the heavy rainfall in Meghalaya will continue into Saturday. Shillong’s weather station recorded a whopping 285.20 millimetres of rain between 8:30am and 2:30pm. The preceding 24 hours saw 135.20mm recorded at the station.
Sohra recorded 217.40mm of rain from 8:30am yesterday to 8:30am today. From 8:30am to 2:30pm today another 70.60mm was recorded.
The damage caused by the rain was almost too numerous to count. In East Khasi Hills, heavy landslides were reported in and along the 11th Mile-Umtyngar Road and the public were strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travelling to Sohra. A large boulder fell on the road between Umtyngar and Mylliem and had to be removed by dynamite. Those who must travel to or from Sohra are advised to take the diversion adjacent to Mawklot village and proceed towards the Shillong Peak-Pomlakrai-Laitlyngkot road.
Due to the damage along the Laitlyngkot to Pomlum stretch of the Shillong-Dawki Road, it was temporarily closed today to vehicular traffic for restoration.
Many rivers in the district are rising even as it warned that people residing along its banks and hilly slopes are advised to relocate to safer places until the rain subsides. It also issued an advisory to the public that due to the ongoing or expected heavy rainfall, they are advised not to attempt to cross rivers and streams, suspension bridges and weak or damaged wooden bridges especially if water levels are rising rapidly.
Power supply was also badly affected, with Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL) teams kept busy throughout the day trying to restore electricity where supply was disrupted.
The major affected areas 11kV Don Bosco feeder, 11KV Ganesh Das, Polo-PHE & Nongmynsong MNREDA feeders, 33 KV Nongthymmai feeder (Mawlai to Kench’s Trace), 33kV NEHU Meter Factory feeder, 33 kv Lad Smit feeder, Double Circuit Bara Bazaar and MES feeder line at Sanibari, 33 KV Mawlai Kench Trace feeder, all in Shillong area.
In the Jaintia Hills area the damaged lines are, 11KV Khliehriat Line. 11KV PG Line, 11KV Rymbai Line, 11KV Lumshnong Line, 33KV Kuliang & 11KV Tongseng Lines.
In Ri Bhoi, the damaged lines are Umsning – Nongpoh Section, 33kv Killing line, 33kv EPIP-1 line, 11kv Umling line, 11kv Jorabat line and 11kv Nongspung line.
“The MeECL Field teams have been working round the clock under challenging weather and terrain conditions to identify faults, replace damaged infrastructure, and restore supply,” a press statement added.
The MeECL to speed up restoration work has deployed additional manpower and materials from nearby divisions/substations.
“However, due to the severe weather conditions especially in the rural areas the power restoration is delayed and efforts are put by our officers and staff to complete at the earliest possible,” the statement added.
The MeECL said that it is prioritizing critical installations such as hospitals, water supply systems, and emergency services.
NH-6 and Ri-Bhoi in general was badly affected, with several landslides and flash flooding reported. Landslides of varying severity struck Shangbangla, Nongspung B, Lad Umsaw, etc. A severe flash flood inundated Jorabat-Khanapara. Vehicles were struck for hours or crawled at a snail’s pace, while others were routed from Assam through Mairang in Eastern West Khasi Hills and then onto Shillong.
