By Express News Service
GUWAHATI: Thirteen persons were killed in the rain-induced landslides in Meghalaya on Friday.
The deaths were reported from three districts – East Khasi Hill, South West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills. One of the victims was a BSF jawan. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma mourned the deaths.
“Pained to learn about the death of 7 individuals in Mawsynram Block, #EastKhasiHills District due to landslides & 2 deaths in #SouthWestKhasiHills District (1 civilian & 1 @BSF_Meghalayajawan),” he tweeted about the latest incidents.
Earlier in the day, four persons died in two incidents of landslides in South Garo Hills. In one of the incidents, three members of a family, including a minor, had lost their lives.
Several roads in the state were either damaged or washed away by the rains and the landslides.
The movement of vehicles from Assam’s Brahmaputra valley to Barak valley in the state remained disrupted following landslides in Meghalaya through which the road passes.
Meanwhile, the floods continued to ravage neighbouring Assam.
A flood bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Friday said over 11 lakh people across 25 districts of the state had been affected by the second wave of the floods.
Cropland affected was in areas of 20,141.99 hectares. Since May, 45 persons have lost their lives – 34 in floods and 11 in landslides.
Rivers such as Brahmaputra, Kopili, Jia Bharali, Puthimari, Manas and Beki were in a spate, flowing above the danger level. Several areas of Guwahati, Rangiya and Nalbari remained inundated.
The National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force were among agencies engaged in the rescue and evacuation of the marooned.
The Regional Meteorological Centre issued a warning for thunderstorm with lightning and extremely heavy rain at isolated places in parts of the Northeast.
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