Landslide claims 20 lives in Barak Valley, President of India expresses deep grief

June 2: Incessant rains on Monday night played havoc in southern Assam. At least 20 people have been killed in multiple landslides triggered by incessant rains in the three districts of Barak Valley region of South Assam on Tuesday. As per reports, Cachar district has reported 7 deaths (4 children, 3 adults) in the Lakhipur revenue circle, Karimganj district has reported 6 deaths (3 children, 3 adults) in the Nilambazar Revenue Circle and Hailakandi district has reported 7 deaths (5 adults, 2 children) in the Hailakandi revenue circle.

The loss of lives due to heavy rains and landslides in Barak valley, Assam is tragic.

Local authorities are undertaking rescue and relief efforts.

Condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 2, 2020

Taking to his twitter handle, Ramnath Kobind, president of India wrote, “The loss of lives due to heavy rains and landslides in Barak valley, Assam is tragic. Local authorities are undertaking rescue and relief efforts. Condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being.” Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted that he was “deeply anguished at the loss of lives due to landslides triggered by incessant rain in Barak valley”. The government has dispatched teams for rescue and relief operations to the spots.

Deeply anguished at the loss of lives due to landslides triggered by incessant rain in Barak valley.

I have directed Cachar, Hailakandi & Karimganj district administrations and SDRF to step up rescue, relief operations and facilitate all possible help needed to those affected.

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) June 2, 2020

Assam Minister Parimal Suklavaidya, who was in Hailakandi to review the COVID-19 pandemic situation, is learnt to have directed the district administration to immediately send its report on the landslide to the government. Apart from the loss of life, many were even reported to have sustained grave injuries. Rescue and relief operation is carried on in various parts of the valley.

At Kolapur village under Joypur police station in Cachar district, where seven people, including three females, were buried under their house. The incident took place at around 5am on Tuesday.The seven dead in Cachar have been identified as, Aajim Uddin Laskar (45), Aliya Begum (20), Alom Uddin (18), Arif Uddin (17), Amina Begum (14), Sumana Begum (12) and Rahim Uddin (8).

In Kaliganj area of Karimganj district, six people, five of them are from one family, were killed by the landslide that buried them along with their house. Those dead are Aziz Uddin (57), Rezia Begam (40) Aftab Hussain (10), Amir Hussain (7), Tahera Begum (5) and Joynal Biwi (14).

At Bhtatbazar village in Hailakandi district, another seven people were buried alive in the landslide. Among them six are from the same family and includes four children. The deceased are Chandmani Mal (5), Kutan Mia Laskar (40), Zulfa Begum (35), Hazira Begum (6), Nazira Begum (4), Matim rahman Laskar (60) and Futuli Begum (3).

Assam already is reeling under the impact of spike of COVID-19 cases. Till now, 1513 positive cases were reported from the state, out of which, 1182 are active cases. Amidst such pandemic, incessant rainfall has definitely added to the worries of the government and people.