Aftermath of Cyclone Remal in Meghalaya: Death toll rises to 3, 2 of a family missing

Search and rescue operations continue to locate the 2 missing persons -- Kynmaw Syngai (70) and Benti Riahtam (60).

Reported by Purbasha Bhattacharjee | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

The death toll from landslides across Meghalaya triggered by incessant rains induced by Cyclone Remal since Monday has climbed to 3 after one more body was recovered today. Two persons of a family still missing.

The teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Search & Rescue Team (SRT), in Shillong recovered the body this morning.

The deceased has been identified as 16-year-old Master Lumlang Riahtam.

Riahtam and one more person (75-year-old Phisar Nongrum) were killed after fresh landslides hit Nongpriang village under Shella block leaving two houses completely covered in mud yesterday.

Search and rescue operations continue to locate the 2 missing persons — Kynmaw Syngai (70) and Benti Riahtam (60).

The first death was reported from East Jaintia Hills on Monday. The deceased was identified as Ohi Nongtdu.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma yesterday expressed grief over the deaths of the people in the state due to the natural disaster. He also directed the East Khasi Hills District Administration to release an ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased.

“Sad to hear the news of four of our citizens who are feared dead in a massive landslide at Nongpriang, Shella block. Body of one victim has been found, search operation is ongoing. Directed the administration to immediately release the ex-gratia to the next of kin,” CM Sangma posted on X.

https://x.com/SangmaConrad/status/1796159648896352341

Cyclone Remal has left a trail of destruction in Meghalaya.

A total of 5,169 people have been affected due to the calamity.

The disaster has damaged at 903 houses across 271 villages and several parts of the state continue to live in the dark as power supply remains cut following strong winds uprooting electricity poles and uprooted trees damaging power lines.

The state Government is working closely with emergency services to support the impacted people, as efforts to assess and mitigate the damage continue.

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