Our Special Correspondent
TURA:
The district administration of South Garo Hills has begun moving food aid and relief materials by boats into the landslide-affected Siju region after a fourth day of failed attempt by the Indian Air Force to airdrop in the affected zone.
However, the Air Force successfully delivered aid to Maheshkola which straddles the South West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills districts after the third consecutive day.
“The weather condition was not good today also for airdropping so we are going ahead with deliver of the goods by boat,” informed South Garo Hills SP R Ravi.
The boat journey from Baghmara to Siju will cause two-and-a-half hour delay in reaching Siju while it will be further delayed in other areas.
Authorities have decided to focus on transporting aid through Maheshkola from the Khasi Hills side, in view of better weather conditions.
PWD officials have informed that it will take considerable time for road links to be restored. Power is still cut off in Siju and the rest of the affected areas due to electric poles having been washed away by the flash floods.
Power officials have said that temporary alternative lines are being arranged for Siju and Maheshkola-affected areas.