One person was killed and four were injured in separate incidents as Cyclone Remal caused significant damage to houses, infrastructure, and public facilities across the State today.
A 27 year old man was buried alive under the rubble of a collapsed retaining wall that fell into his house at Sutnga village in East Jaiñtia Hills. The victim has been identified as Ohimonmi Nongtdu.
Police said his body has been retrieved and the necessary legal formalities will be observed. The family has however sought post mortem exemption.
Senior officials from the district administration visited the bereaved family and handed over ex-gratia relief of Rs 4 lakh. Compensation for damage to the house and ration was also provided to them.
Meanwhile, four persons were injured in a landslide at Mawlai Bypass in Mawkynroh here.
The victims who were house construction labourers were sleeping at a temporary shed when a massive landslide washed away the shed injuring them. The incident occurred at around 4:15 am today. All the injured have been shifted to NEIGRIHMS for medical treatment.
The landslide also posed a grave threat to a nearby eight-storey building as further erosion of soil could lead to collapse of the building. Recently, parents and teachers of Grace Academy have voiced their concern over the way the building was allowed to be constructed.
Meanwhile, the State Disaster Development Authority (SDDA) today said that 134 people in 17 villages have been affected by the cyclone in various parts of the State. It also said that 29 houses and three public infrastructures have been damaged by heavy rain, flood and strong winds in the past three days.
In Shillong, there were landslides at Kench’s Trace near Rilbong Beat House and also in Lower Lumparing. Low lying areas of the city mainly Pynthorbah, Langkyrding and Demseiniong were affected by flood.
Lack of drainage system in the area has compounded the problem. Water logging was also witnessed close to the BDW International School. In Mawlai Nongpdeng, some houses were affected by flooding.
Landslides also occurred at Tyrsad village under Mawphlang Block in East Khasi Hills which totally blocked the road.
Similarly, there were reports of landslides at the 13th km of Mawkyrwat-Ranikor Road under South West Khasi Hills. Minor landslides also blocked the road from Mawkyrwat to Rangblang. However, the roads have been cleared for traffic. Four school buildings were also damaged by the storm. An electric pole fell down at Khonjoy village in the district.
In Eastern West Khasi Hills, cyclonic storms and heavy rainfall led to the damage of electric poles due to falling of trees. One house was partially damaged due to a landslide at Nongkhlaw under Mairang Block.
In Ri-Bhoi, a buffalo was killed when a tree fell on its shed at Mawskei Them. The storm also uprooted numerous betel nut trees and damaged the kitchen of one house. Reports said that a number of houses and plantations were damaged in Warmawsaw, Umsohbar, Umkynsier and Umtung. Several trees also fell on National Highway-6 at Umling.
In East Garo Hills and North Garo Hills, strong wind led to falling of trees and as a result electric wires were snapped off and some houses were damaged today. Two houses were damaged due to lightning strike at Rongrong Bolsongchok under Songsak C&RD Block in East Garo Hills.
In South West Garo Hills, the cyclonic storm caused damage to some houses and electric poles. In South Garo Hills, some trees fell down over a low tension line in Siju and one electric pole fell down in Chokpot. In West Garo Hills, some trees fell down in some parts of Tura.
