Heavy downpours on May 30 and May 31, 2025, have caused damages across Meghalaya. Eighty-six villages in 10 districts are affected so far, leaving six dead according to the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA).
Thousands of people have been affected in these villages. Among the mostly affected districts are Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills.
On May 30, one person drowned in the Umlew river in Kyrdeng village of Ri Bhoi district. The office of the block development officer (BDO) of Bhoirymbong said the person had gone fishing in the river along with others, when the drowning happened. “We have organised awareness meetings immediately with the village head to discourage people from going to the river. The government has declared compensation for the family of the deceased,” said Alan, an official from the BDO’s office.
Six villages have been affected in the Umsning block of the same district. Linda from the BDO’s office of Umsning, said: “Sumer Latara village witnessed flash flood, while Umran Dairy, Umran Niangbyrnai, Sumer Umran, Umsolait Umlaper, Umsamlem and Umtham suffered landslides.”
Similarly, in Umling block, 15 villages got affected by landslides. Most of the landslides occurred in areas near the National Highway 6 which connects Guwahati to Shillong, something that pertains to hill cutting along the highway. Fewer landslides were recorded in the interior villages, an official of the Umling BDO told Down To Earth.
In the Garo Hills, the Rongram block recorded the highest numbers of damages to dwellings due to a heavy storm on May 30, an MSDMA office said.
Two persons died in Kentapara village under the Dadenggere block of West Garo Hills district after being struck by lightning. One of the deceased was a 7-year-old girl, while the other is a 13- year-old girl.