Flood water recedes in Meghalaya, govt releases Rs 1 crore

Shillong, Aug 2 (UNI) Flood water in the low-lying areas of the state's western region receded bringing respite to its residents.

Mahendragnj, Phulbari, Garobadha, Rajabala, Tikrikilla, Selsella and other villages in West Garo Hills district were damaged in the swirling flood water.

Chief Minister D D Lapang, who made an aerial survey of some of the affected areas yesterday, have released Rs one crore to the district administration for relief and restoration work.

He has also distributed a cheque of Rs one lakh each to the relatives of those killed in the Rishipara landslip.

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

''The flood water has receded considerably brining respite to those affected families in these areas,'' Mr Kumar told UNI over the phone today from Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills.

Meanwhile, a medical team comprising a doctor and three para-medical staff have rushed to the flood-hit areas to prevent an outbreak of water-borne diseases.

''We are providing the people of the flood-affected areas with safe drinking water and preventing outbreak of any epidemics,'' Mr Kumar said.

The PHE Department had been asked to install as many as 500 tube wells in the areas. Presently, the department has stationed its mobile water treatment plant vehicle to provide safe drinking water in the relief camps.

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has begun vaccinating cattle to prevent outbreak of diseases in these affected areas.

The Indian Red Cross Society in Shillong had despatched relief materials to the affected areas.

UNI