HP NEWS SERVICE
Shillong, Jul 4: The West Garo Hills district administration announced 3 days of Gratuitous Relief (GR) for the many villagers of the plain belt that have been affected by the current deluge.
As per reports available more than 660 households from 25 villages, all of who are currently from the Selsella C&RD Block have been affected with the administration informing that relief camps have been set up to accommodate those that have been displaced.
Water has been rising in the region over the past month with unrelenting rains causing havoc to farm lands as well people, some of whom had taken shelter on the AMPT road to protect themselves and their livestock.
The AMMSU as well as the ACHDO had earlier written to the Chief Minister seeking relief for those affected in the floods though the administration was slow to react. Earlier South Salmara district declared flooding in their region with more than 2 lakh peoples affected by the deluge.
The situation has currently been exacerbated due to the spread of Covid-19 with quite a few cases appearing in the South Salmara district.
“The situation is pretty bad and we were surprised that the government did not act quicker on the issue. People were on the roads and someone should have tried to find out why. Thankfully it will finally be addressed,” said a concerned resident.
Local Congress MLA from Rajabala, Dr Azad Zaman, who is currently in his constituency, had been touring the affected areas, distributing relief from his own resources. He too has been surprised by the lax response to the situation.
Photos from local residents have shown the situation to be critical as many residents have now moved on to the AMPT road for shelter along with their livestock.
“We just want the government to acknowledge that floods took place and designate camps and provide relief to those who area affected. These people need help and the administration has to take notice,” said another local resident.
