Pregnant woman among nine killed in Shillong landslide

A massive landslide occurred at Jhalupara in the heart of Shillong early today morning, burying alive nine persons.

Nine persons were buried alive – one of them a 22-year old pregnant woman – in a massive landslide in the heart of Shillong, the Meghalaya capital, early Tuesday morning, with the total death toll in rain-induced disasters in the hill state to 23 in the past two days. Fourteen persons had died due to landslides and floods in the Garo Hills region yesterday.

A massive landslide occurred at Jhalupara in the heart of Shillong early today morning, burying alive nine persons. The deceased belonged to families and their bodies were dug out by the police and local residents after much difficulty due to incessant rains, East Khasi Hills district SP M Kharkrang said. The incdent occurred at around 3 AM.

The victims have been identified as Santosh Sharma (24), Lal Babu Sharma (35), Mahindar Sharma (40), Kamlesh Kumar Sharma (19), Nagnazar Sharma (45), Sobita Kuri (65), Rajesh Kuri (32) and Puja Kuri (22). Of them Puja Kuri was in an advanced stage of pregnancy, sources said. The two families were living as tenants in the same campus.

Landslides play havoc:

Meanwhile, landslides that were triggered off by heavy incessant rains in the past two days have played havoc in different districts of Meghalaya. The National Highway 51 connecting Paikan in Assam to Tura, headquarters of the West Garo Hills district was blocked at seven locations since late last evening.

South West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Ram Singh said the seven landslides that occurred between Rari and Jengjal, have cut off road communication to all the districts in the Garo Hills region. Several hundred vehicles have been stranded. There is no railway or air connectivity to any place in western Meghalaya.

Yesterday landlsides had claimed six lives in South West Garo Hills district and eight others died in floods in North Garo Hills district, while unofficial reports said at least ten persons were missing.

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