Shillong, Aug 3: A massive search and rescue operation is currently underway in South West Garo Hills after Teseng M Sangma, the District Agriculture Officer, 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.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES), and Tura police have joined the operation, but the search was called off around 7pm due to poor visibility and will resume at 6am on Monday.
Authorities have also dismissed rumors circulating on social media that the body had been recovered, clarifying that the search is still ongoing.
Heavy overnight rainfall had caused rivers across Garo Hills, including the Ganol, to swell dangerously, creating treacherous conditions for the rescue teams.
