“Extremely Heavy Rain” Alert for Northeast; Key Highway Collapses In Meghalaya

Meghalaya has been hit by intense rain, floods and landslides this yearMeghalaya: A red alert for “extremely heavy rain” has been issued for parts of northeast India, particularly for Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, till June 18. The alert from India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday evening came hours after parts of National Highway 6 (NH-6) in Meghalaya caved in due to landslides triggered by incessant rains. This highway links key places in Meghalaya, Assam and Mizoram.The IMD also issued an alert for “massive thunderstorm and lightning” for 15 districts of Assam, which means nearly half the state. Assam’s capital Guwahati has received 385.4 mm of rain so far this month; more than double the normal average of 174 mm for this period.In Meghalaya, landslides under Lumshnong Police Station area disrupted vehicular movement along NH-6, and people have been advised to avoid taking the route, said the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) officials. “Efforts are on to clear the blocked route and necessary assistance is being provided to stranded passengers,” they added.The authorities are currently allowing only restricted movement along the highway, which is also a connection to the rest of India for southern Assam, Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Manipur.Meghalaya has been hit by intense rain, floods and landslides this year, leaving several people displaced.     According to the IMD, Cherrapunji recorded a massive 811.6 mm of rainfall in 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Wednesday, the highest in June since 1995.Fresh landslides were reported today from various parts of Assam as well amid heavy downpur, which also led to heavy waterlogging in GuwahatiAssam has registered 42 deaths due to floods and landslides this yearThe weather office said that the ongoing spell of intense rainfall is likely to continue in the northeast and sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next five days.   



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