Heavy rain leads to flood-like situation in Meghalaya

Tura (Meghalaya) April 22 (IANS) Heavy rain since Friday night has led to a flood-like situation in the low-lying areas in South West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya an official said on Saturday.

Though no loss of life has been reported so far around 20 persons have been displaced following the floods Cyril Diengdoh the District Magistrate told IANS. The displaced people have been accommodated in a school in Silkona village he said. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has directed the district officials to provide relief to the affected families. Diengdoh said the flooding in some areas has also caused damage to agricultural land roads and fishery ponds. The District Disaster Management Authority has deployed officials and gram sevaks are in the field to conduct actual ground assessment and preparation of relief camps should the need arise. The low-lying areas under Zikzak Community and Rural Development block namely Silkona Nandirchar Beparipara Hridaypur Daspara Patelipara and New Kalaichar have been the worst affected by the flash floods. --IANS rrk/lok/bg