Four killed, one injured in two landslides in Guwahati

Four people, including three members of a family, were killed and one injured in two landslides triggered by incessant rain in Guwahati on Tuesday. Several city areas were inundated, disrupting traffic, while authorities assessed vulnerable houses and considered evacuations

Guwahati: Four people, including three members of a family, died and one was injured in two landslides in Assam’s Guwahati on Tuesday, officials said. Incessant rain since early Tuesday is suspected to have triggered both the incidents, with several localities of the city inundated. Three members of a family died, and another was injured in a landslide in the Mathgharia area of the city, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) officials said.

The incident occurred when they were sleeping in their house.
“A couple and their daughter died in the landslide. The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examinations,” an official said.

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The couple’s son was rescued from beneath the debris and was taken to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, he added. The deceased have been identified as Nagen Rajbongshi (50), his wife Sonu Rajbongshi (38) and their daughter Karabi Rajbongshi (11). Their 19-year-old son, Biplab, was injured in the incident, the ASDMA said.

Locals said Nagen worked as a daily wage labourer and the family was living in the area for several years. According to them, the incident occurred at around 8 am, with the house flattened by the mudslide. “The son was saved because his head was stuck inside a drum. It saved him from the major impact of the landslide,” a local said. Biplab was working in a private company to help the family, while his sister, who was killed in the incident, was studying in class 5.

Local Dimoria MLA Tapan Das, who rushed to the spot after the incident, said the government will extend all assistance to the survivor. “It is a very sad incident. We offer our condolences to the bereaved family. We will ensure that the survivor gets all due assistance,” Das added.

A risk assessment of other houses in the area was being carried out, and if needed, the residents would be evacuated, the legislator said.In another landslide in Satgaon area, a 65-year-old woman was killed, the ASDMA officials said.

A rock partially damaged the victim’s house, they said, adding that several family members of the deceased had suffered minor injuries. The woman was staying with her husband, their son and daughter-in-law.

The incessant rain caused waterlogging in several parts of the city, including Panjabari, RG Baruah Road, Chandmari, Beltola, Borbari and Six Mile. Students and office-goers had a difficult time commuting as most of the main roads were submerged. The commuters were seen wading through knee-deep water in several places.