Assam Floods: 2 More Die in Massive Landslide, Meghalaya Highway Damaged
A national highway in Meghalaya, NH 6, was also damaged due to a fresh landslide triggered by heavy rains.
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Several places in Assam witnessed heavy downpour and landslides for the third day in a row on Thursday, 16 June, which also led to heavy waterlogging in most parts of the cities, officials said.
Two minors were buried alive in the massive landslides caused in Assam's Goalpara district after the incessant rain on Thursday.
Assam has, till now, recorded 42 deaths due to recurring floods and landslides this year.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has predicted rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning over various parts of Guwahati on Thursday afternoon. Scattered and isolated "extremely heavy rainfall" is also forecast in Assam and Meghalaya.
The RMC issued a 'red alert' for Assam and Meghalaya till Thursday, and 'orange alert' for Friday and Saturday.
NH 6 of Meghalaya Damaged
Parts of National Highway 6 (NH06) under Meghalaya's Lumshnong Police Station area have been damaged due to landslides on Thursday.
The incident occurred in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. The landslides also disrupted traffic as roads were blocked due to the flood-like situation.
People have been advised against taking the aforementioned route, said District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) officials, as per reports.
People gather near a truck after it crashed as some part of the National Highway 6 (NH06) under Lumshnong Police Station's jurisdiction caved in due to a landslide after heavy rains, in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district.
(Photo: PTI)
Very restricted movement has been allowed along the highway.
Several videos showing the affected highway were shared on social media. Vehicles can be seen stuck on the flooded road in visuals.
A woman looks at damaged property of her house damaged in a landslide due to rains, in Guwahati on Thursday.
A woman wades through a flooded street after heavy rains, in Guwahati on Thursday, 16 June.
A woman looks toward the damaged boundary wall after a landslide owing to rains at Hengrabari, in Guwahati on Wednesday.
Situation in Guwahati
Four bodies were recovered on Tuesday from under the debris in Guwahati's Boragaon area. The victims, who were construction workers, got hit by massive landslides in the area.
An Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) official told PTI that debris pileup due to landslides have blocked thoroughfares in Sonapur, Geetanagar, Nijarapar and Kalapahar areas in and near Guwahati.
Heavy rain has flooded roads and submerged vehicles midway in several areas of the city – the worst affected places being Anil Nagar, Rajgarh Link Road, Nabin Nagar, Rukminigaon, Krishna Nagar and Hatigaon.
Assam Housing and Urban Affairs Department Minister Ashok Singhal at Anil Nagar.
(Photo: PTI)
Assam Housing and Urban Affairs Department Minister Ashok Singhal visited Guwahati's Anil Nagar area on Thursday to monitor the situation.
Measures Taken to Alleviate Situation
NDRF and SDRF personnel have been deployed in the flood-affected areas, and officers are rescuing people using boats. Relief materials are being provided to those stuck in flooded homes, as per PTI.
The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) is working to restore power supply after the power-cuts caused in the city.
"Clearing up activities were undertaken near National Highway at Boragaon," Kamrup Metro District Admin took to Twitter to share images.
Govt Issues Advisory
The Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner Nazreen Ahmed advised people to restrict movements. The advisory further urged people in the flood-affected areas to reach the nearest notified relief camp.
Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup Metropolitan, Pallav Gopal Jha, also issued an order directing all educational institutions to suspend classes keeping in view the red alert imposed by RMC.
The Kamrup Metropolitan district administration also issued an advisory, suggesting people to step out only for essential work.
Flooded campus of the Gauhati Commerce College following heavy rains, in Guwahati on Tuesday.
(Photo: PTI)
Meanwhile, Assam Congress president Bhupen Boarh led a rally to protest against the government's alleged apathy to the flood-situation. The protesters were stopped by police personnel.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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