Nongpoh, Jul 28: Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton L. Tongkhar, who owns the plot of land accused of blocking water flow, on Tuesday inspected Pahamlang 17 Mer and denied that earth-cutting on his property caused the recent flash floods.
The visit came days after flood-affected residents, accompanied by the Ri-Bhoi People’s Council, submitted a memorandum to the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner seeking relief and an inquiry into the flooding.
Tongkhar was accompanied by district officials, PWD engineers, the village headman and locals during the inspection.
He said no construction had started on the land as he purchased it only recently. To improve drainage, he claimed to have spent several lakhs creating water channels and installing hume pipes after the original watercourse was blocked by soil from earlier excavation.
“The people know this was level land. I willingly gave up a portion of my land for a water channel even at a personal loss, because my priority was to ensure the public would not suffer,” he said.
Tongkhar added that work on the drain and hume pipes is still underway and water has started flowing through the new channel. He urged residents to remain cautious during heavy rain until the work is completed.
Residents have urged the administration to identify the cause of the flooding and implement permanent measures to prevent similar incidents.
