Meghalaya floods: Death toll at 52, waters recede a week after calamity

Flash floods and landslides claimed the lives of at least 52 person in Meghalaya as properties worth several crore of rupees were damaged, Deputy Chief Minister Roytre C Laloo said today.

"Official figures have indicated that 52 persons lost their lives, mostly in the Garo Hills region, and properties including road, houses, livestock and agriculture worth about Rs 2,000 crore got damaged," Laloo told PTI.

A semblance of normalcy emerged as rising flood waters receded in many places but the visible damage caused is extensive.

Laloo, also in charge of Revenue department, said the government is still awaiting a full report on the damage. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has already sought a Rs 2,000 crore relief aid from the Centre to help the state in the re-building process.

The extent of damage caused by floods in the plain belts of Garo Hills region is still unfolding as people who had left their marooned houses or were evacuated are now trying to get back to their homes to check the damage as water level is receding, district officials in North Garo Hills, the worst affected one, said.

Water level in the Brahmaputra and its tributary, the Jingiram, which submerged over 1,100 villages in 27 blocks in the state, receded to a large extent, they said.

Over 10,000 persons are believed to be taking shelter in the various relief camps set up by the state government.

In view of the extensive damage, commuting on certain district roads and supply of water and power continued to remain disrupted in many areas even as repair and maintenance work was on.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of those killed in the natural calamity in the state and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured.