Flash floods and landslides in Meghalaya's Garo Hills leave 10 dead

Continuous rainfall since Friday midnight has wreaked havoc in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya, resulting in the tragic loss of 10 lives and causing widespread damage.

Flash floods, mudslides, and landslides have severely impacted the area, washing away bridges and cutting off road connectivity, including the vital route from Dalu to Baghmara.

One of the casualties occurred in Koinadubi, Dalu village, where 57-year-old Santa N Marak was killed in a landslide while working in her kitchen with her 28-year-old daughter, Moralistic Marak. Moralistic survived the incident with injuries and was taken to the Dalu Community Health Centre (CHC) for treatment. Several other residents have also been injured across the region, reported NDTV.

The unrelenting rains have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including homes and wooden bridges. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma reviewed the situation and directed district administrations to mobilize relief efforts and identify alternative routes to restore disrupted road connections.

Rescue operations, led by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are in progress, with immediate assistance needed in heavily impacted areas like Silkigre Primary Health Centre (PHC). Localities such as Reserve Gittim, Modoltila, Rishipara, Hawakhana, and several others are still under assessment by the Tura Municipal Board (TMB) and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

Among the fatalities, three civilians died in Dalu in the West Garo Hills district, while seven more were buried under a landslide in Hatiasia Songma village in South Garo Hills. Authorities are working to provide compensation to affected families, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continues search and rescue operations.

The deluge in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills has also caused flood-like conditions in Assam's Mankachar, with several villages now submerged. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.