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The devastating floods in Meghalaya's Garo Hills continue to claim lives, with the death toll reaching 15 as of Sunday. The latest fatalities include a father and son, a mother and daughter, and a man killed by a falling tree, highlighting the catastrophic impact of torrential rains and landslides in the region.
The first tragic incident occurred in Dimapara on Friday evening when a father and son, Bijoy S. Sangma and his 13-year-old son Wian Chigado R. Marak, were swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a submerged road. Despite warnings from locals about the strong current, Sangma attempted to drive through the floodwaters in his Wagon R, but the car was carried away by the rushing water.
The car was recovered by State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams on Saturday, but the bodies of Sangma and his son were retrieved the following day from a low-lying area near Sonagre village in Dalu. Both victims were residents of Rongkhon Songgital, Tura.
Another heartbreaking incident occurred in East Garo Hills, where a mother and daughter, Amerin K. Marak and her daughter, Manase K. Marak, lost their lives in a landslide triggered by heavy rains late Saturday night. The landslide buried their home in Gongdop village under tonnes of soil. Rescue teams, along with villagers, recovered their bodies on Sunday morning.
A third tragic incident occurred late Saturday night when a man, identified as Thenseng R. Marak, was killed after a tree uprooted by a storm fell on his car in the Songsak reserve forest area of East Garo Hills. Marak, who was driving with two women relatives, died instantly, while the two women sustained serious injuries and were taken to Williamnagar hospital after receiving initial treatment at Songsak PHC.
Meanwhile, in South Garo Hills, search and rescue efforts yielded the recovery of three bodies from the Hatiasia Songma landslide site. These victims were among seven family members buried when a section of a hill collapsed on their house in Gasuapara Block on Friday.
The relentless floods and landslides have left many families devastated and searching for loved ones. Rescue teams of the state police, fire and emergency service, SDRF, and NDRF continue their search for the remaining missing individuals. The commissioner and secretary of the Revenue & Disaster Management Department of Meghalaya, Sanjay Goyal, assured the public that all relevant departments are working vigorously to respond to the situation and provide necessary assistance and relief to all affected citizens.
The floods and landslides serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events. This incident highlights the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of such disasters, including early warning systems, robust infrastructure, and community preparedness programs.
Source: Meghalaya floods: Toll in Garo Hills rises to 15 as 5 more deaths confirmed