Flood alert sounded in parts of Meghalaya

The North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) has sounded flood alerts in low lying areas of Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district after incessant rains lashed the region in the past 48 hours.

"The Flood Early Warning System of NESAC has issued alert that there could be flood in Phulbari area of the district in the next 48 hours in view of the incessant rains in the region and in Upper Assam area," West Garo Hills District Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said today.

Heavy rains lashed the area since yesterday and the water level could go up in the low lying areas, he said.

There could also be back flow of the Brahmaputra in its tributary, the Jinjiram, like it did in 2012, where over 1,500 people had to be evacuated in view of the flood, Bakshi said.

NESAC said other smaller tributaries, including the Demring and the Jinari, could cause low to moderate flood in the area.

The areas that could receive maximum impact of the possible surging river are Bhaitbari and surrounding areas with villages like Morasuti, Phershakandi, Anderkata and other surrounding villages in Rajabala, a disaster management official of the district said.