35,000 affected as rains hit Meghalaya district

Shillong, July 26 (PTI): Over 35,000 people have been affected after incessant rain and back flow of Brahmaputra river in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district has inundated 71 villages. "Incessant rain in the past few days and the back flow of Brahmaputra has affected 35,002 person in the plain belts area under Selsella block," district Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said today.   As per reports of Gram sevikas, 6645 households in 71 villages were affected after which nine relief camps have been set up at different locations, Bakshi told PTI.   At least 40 families consisting of over 110 people were housed in the relief camps and the numbers may increase as rains continue in the entire north eastern region.

  The State Emergency Operations Centre and the Met department issued flood warnings especially in the low lying villages in the plain belts of the district, a disaster management official said.   All district officials and BDOs, police and medical personnel have been asked to be alert in this situation.