Shillong, Jul 21: Multiple minor landslides were witnessed on Monday along the Umiam Damsite road, raising fears that continued rainfall could trigger bigger slides without immediate preventive action.
Photos from the area showed mud, rocks and uprooted vegetation spilled onto the roadside after portions of the hillside gave way. Traffic was not fully blocked, but debris along the stretch made movement risky during rain. A reporter who visited the site observed similar minor slides at several points.
The Umiam Damsite road is part of the crucial Shillong-Guwahati-Silchar corridor and sees heavy vehicular movement daily.
The India Meteorological Department, Shillong has forecast heavy rain and thunderstorms across Meghalaya for the next five days, till July 25.
According to the July 21 bulletin, isolated heavy rain is likely over South West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills and East Jaintia Hills on Monday, with thunderstorms and lightning at a few places. From Tuesday to Friday, isolated heavy rain is likely to persist over East Khasi Hills, while thunderstorms are forecast at many places across the state.
IMD warned of probable impacts including waterlogging, flooding in low-lying areas, traffic and road disruptions, landslides, damage to old structures, falling trees, and closure of bridges. Flash floods, power and communication disruption, and damage to crops and quarry areas were also flagged.
In its advisory, IMD asked people to avoid low-lying, waterlogged and landslide-prone areas, and motorists to drive carefully on slippery roads. Schools in flood-prone areas and mining/quarry operations have been advised to suspend work during intense rain. Authorities have been asked to regulate traffic and follow SDMA and NDMA CAP alerts.
