At least 10 people, including seven from the same family, lost their lives in flashfloods triggered by incessant rainfall in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district over the past 24 hours. The heavy rains also caused landslides in the Gasuapara region, officials reported on Saturday. Among the deceased were three minors from a remote village called Hatiasia Songma, where a tragic landslide struck the family's home.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma held a review meeting to assess the situation across the Garo Hills' five districts. Expressing his condolences over the loss of lives, Sangma confirmed the deaths of three people from Dalu and seven from Hatiasia Songma. He announced immediate ex gratia payments to the victims' families.
Rescue operations, led by personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are ongoing in the hardest-hit areas. Sangma also suggested using bailey bridge technology for faster rebuilding efforts to restore connectivity in affected regions.