Shillong, Aug 4:The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) today continued their search and rescue operations at Sella Wari, near Tura, West Garo Hills to locate Agriculture Officer Teseng M Sangma, who was swept away by the swollen Ganol River on Sunday afternoon.
Sangma, a resident of New Tura, was on a family outing to a popular picnic spot when he was caught by the river’s strong currents and disappeared despite immediate rescue attempts.
The SDRF had commenced their operation at 4 pm yesterday with the Police and Fire and Emergency Services. However, the operation was halted at 7 PM due to low visibility in the area.
The team today concentrated their efforts in the downstream area of the river at Pelga Wari.
Deputy Controller of Civil Defence, West Garo Hills, Timai K Sangma, who is leading the SDRF team, said the operation is still ongoing as the officer is yet to be located.
Meanwhile, the SDRF recovered the body of an elderly man from Umshing River below a bridge connecting the Mawlai-Mawiong Bypass at Mawlai Umshing area.
A team of the SDRF led by Inspector Romario B Marak reached the spot at 9.15am after being alerted by the District Disaster Management Authority, East Khasi Hills. The team recovered the body of the deceased man within 15 minutes.
The body of the deceased was later handed over to the police.
