Shillong: Heavy rains continued to wreak havoc in various parts of Meghalaya triggering landslides and flash floods.
Normal life was thrown out of gear in several parts of the State for the past couple of days with the pounding rains.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
A portion of the NH-06 near the Lumshnong toll plaza has been washed away in the East Jaintia Hills district, thereby cutting off road links between Meghalaya and Southern Assam’s Barak Valley, Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Manipur from the rest of the country, bringing road traffic along the highway to a standstill.
A truck along with another vehicle fell into a gorge caused by a landslide on a portion of the highway in Lad Brishyrnot.
East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, Abhilash Baranwal said the NH-06 has been damaged at multiple locations across the district especially from Nongsning to Ratacherra stretch.
“Due to continuous heavy rainfall over the past one week, the NH-06 has suffered massive damages following landslides in various parts along East Jaintia Hills District compelling the district administration to close down vehicular movement along the highway to prevent any loss of lives and properties,” Baranwal said.
Meghalaya Police has advised that heavy motor vehicles (Trucks, Buses) should avoid the route while concerned departments have been informed for quick necessary action to restore normalcy.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma held an online meeting with his cabinet ministers and deputy commissioners of all districts and concerned department officials to assess the prevalent situations across the State and took stock of damages caused due to incessant rains.
“With landslides caused in different locations, cutting off connectivity to some areas including transit roads to other North-East states, the Chief Minister has directed the Deputy Commissioners and Departments to take swift action in this regard especially in the supply of essential commodities to the affected areas and to look into measures to be taken to ensure movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities,” an official statement said.
The Chief Minister has further directed deputy commissioners of all districts and concerned department officials to monitor the situation in the next crucial 72 hours and coordinate in order to ensure minimum inconvenience and safety of the people.
The government has also constituted regional committees headed by cabinet ministers to visit the locations and constantly review the situation in their respective districts.
