Flood situation grim, Lapang assures all help

Shillong, Aug 1 (UNI) The flood situation in the low-lying areas of Meghalaya western region continued to be grim owing to the flow of backwater of the mighty Brahmaputra and Jinjiram river.

Chief Minister D D Lapang, accompanied by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith M Sangma and senior government officials, made an aerial survey of some of the affected areas today. The chief minister also assured the affected people of immediate relief and rehabilitation.

He also appealed to the public to remain alert and extend their cooperation to the district authorities to avoid further loss of life.

As many as 1.20 lakh people in the district have been affected due to the flash flood, West Garo Hill District Deputy Commissioner P Sampath Kumar told the chief minister. Ten relief camps have been set up to accommodate the affected people.

Mahendragnj, Phulbari, Garobadha, Rajabala, Tikrikilla, Selsella and other villages in West Garo Hills were damaged in the swirling flood waters, Mr Lapang was informed.

Mr Lapang also visited Nakham market where the landslide incident occurred where nine people have been killed.

Mr Lapang said a detailed assessment would be made soon to seek central assistance for restoration work after the district administration submitted details of the damage.

The state Public Work Department has estimated the damage to roads and bridges as Rs 3.5 crore. The agriculture department is yet to assess the damage to the standing crops.

The chief minister also reviewed the flood situation with the district administration and directed them to put all efforts to ensure relief and rehabilitation to the affected people.

Earlier, Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee, who inspected the flood situation, asked the Health Services and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department to mobilise its manpower to prevent outbreak of water-borne diseases. He also directed the Public Health Engineering and PWD to begin restorations work.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Manirul Islam Sarkar and Congress MLA Sayeedulah Nongrum lodged a complaint with the chief minister on the inadequate supply of relief materials and unsafe drinking water in the flood affected areas of Rajabala and Phulbari.

UNI