Meghalaya landslides toll rises to 20 today after two missing persons were recovered by the rescue teams.
The body of a handyman, Bishujit Chakrabarty who went missing after a section of the NH 6 in Lumshnong caved in, was recovered this afternoon.
Bishujit, a resident of Teliamura Santinagar in West Tripura was inside the ill-fated truck (AS 01 DD 4496) that fell inside a hole punctured by rainwater.
East Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal informed that the body of the handyman was recovered at around 12:30 pm by the Search and Rescue team of the Fire and Emergency Service.
Officials said the body was recovered 400 ft below the NH6 which took an hour for the team to hoist the body up. The body was taken to Khliehriat Civil Hospital for post mortem and family members were also informed about the recovery.
Meanwhile, restoration works at Lumshnong are in full swing. Light motor vehicles are being diverted to the Lumshnong – Brichyrnot diversion temporarily, the deputy commissioner informed.
Rescue teams also recovered the body of one Robino Kynter, washed away by mudslide at Kenmynsaw village under Mawsynram block last night. Earlier, his wife, Drit Byrsaw was killed due to landslide.
On June 16, the State reported five deaths and another 13 yesterday.
In East Khasi Hills, the house of one Pyntngen Khongsit of Kshaid Village under Laitkroh Khatarshnong Block was reported damaged due to landslide today.
According to reports from the district disaster management authority, the Nongjri-Bholaganj road in Pynursla has been closed for traffic after damages while the damaged Pyrkan Shella under Shella Bholaganj is now open for traffic.
A footbridge of Sonatola under Mawsynram block and a suspension bridge at Suktia under Shella Bholaganj block collapsed.
In West Jaiñtia Hills, the district magistrate has imposed section 144 CrPC at Syntu Ksiar Chyrmang road due to damages and East Jaiñtia Hills reported landslide at Saipung block affecting two houses and at Umkiang PHC.
Police said the road from Brychirnot-Lumshnong is now open for light motor vehicles, including two wheelers. Being an unpaved road, it is fit for vehicles with four wheels and passing through it with two wheelers may be a little difficult, police said.
Incessant rains have also inundated many low lying areas in South West Khasi Hills district as many villages that included Chibak and Gillagora villages under Ranikor Civil Sub Division. Reports said 22 houses are affected by floods. An MGNREGS road was also damaged due to landslide at Mawblei VEC under Mawkyrwat Block.
The State Disaster Management Authority informed that during the last 24 hours, 20 villages and 134 people have been affected by floods and landslides cause by persistent rain in the State.
Meanwhile, the government has set up relief camps for the flood-affected people in Garo Hills region in Rerapara, Betasing, Zikzak block.
