Rain mayhem in Meghalaya claims three in East Khasi Hills; CM announces ex-gratia

Incessant rainfall continued to lash Meghalaya, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including an elderly woman and a minor, in the East Khasi Hills district over the past 24 hours.

The woman, 50, died in Lumkyntung village due to a landslide, while a 35-year-old man drowned in Pomlakrai Mawbynna as incessant rain inundated the area, they said.

Another death was reported from Mawkynrew Block when a tree fell on a 15-year-old boy, the officials said.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh to their next of kin.

Meanwhile, the search and rescue operations launched for a couple from Madhya Pradesh's Indore, who went missing in Sohra area last week, were halted for the day, owing to heavy rainfall and low visibility, the officials said.

The couple - Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam – had arrived at Mawlakhiat village on May 22. On May 24, their scooter was found abandoned at a cafe along the road from Shillong to Sohra.

“Due to extremely heavy rainfall, the search and rescue teams of the State Disaster Response Force could not reach the location as their vehicle was stuck in a landslide,” a police officer said.

"The search operations will continue on Saturday," he said.

The IMD had issued a red alert for May 29 and May 30 all over Meghalaya, warning of flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.