NONGPOH, July 11: Following the recent flash floods that affected several households in Harlibagan village, Byrnihat, after heavy rainfall, the Ri Bhoi District Administration on Saturday deputed a magistrate to inspect the affected area and initiated measures to widen the roadside drainage channel identified as the main cause of the flooding.
It may be recalled that residents of Harlibagan had recently highlighted their plight through the media after several families were affected by floodwaters. Within a few days of the issue being reported, the office of the Deputy Commissioner responded by taking immediate steps to address the recurring problem faced by residents due to inadequate drainage along National Highway-6 in Byrnihat Proper.
Akash Marak, a district magistrate, accompanied by officials of the district administration, visited the site on Saturday. Earthmoving machinery was also deployed to demolish obstructing bridge structures and remove electric poles to facilitate the widening of the drainage channel.
Officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the police, and the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) were present at the site as work commenced to relocate electric poles and dismantle structures that were obstructing the natural flow of water through the drain.
Also watch:
Earlier, Wanphrang Lyngdoh the Headman of Harlibagan village had urged the NHAI to widen the drainage channels along Byrnihat Proper and Nongrim Byrnihat, stating that the existing drains are too narrow to handle rainwater. He pointed out that during heavy rainfall, the inadequate drainage causes water to overflow into nearby village, resulting in repeated flooding of residential areas.
