Sosthenes Sohtun, the Jirang National People’s Party MLA, emphasized the critical necessity for interstate collaboration to address the ongoing catastrophe amid the deteriorating flood circumstances in Umpher village, Byrnihat. Along with representatives from the Public Works Department and the National Highways Authority of India, Sohtun emphasized that any long-term solution must entail the development of drainage infrastructure outside of Meghalaya’s boundaries after touring the flood-affected areas with Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal.
Speaking to the media, Sohtun said he will bring up the problem of cleaning the stream in Assam’s jurisdiction with Conrad K. Sangma, the chief minister of Meghalaya, and ask him to bring it up with his Assamese counterpart. He underlined that cooperation between the two governments is necessary to find a long-term solution to the region’s recurring flash floods. Teachers from St Jude Secondary School and surrounding community leaders joined officials for the inspection, and they provided an account of the ongoing devastation caused by the floods.
Noting that the school and a number of homes have been negatively impacted by ongoing waterlogging, which has turned into a seasonal hardship for the neighborhood, they encouraged authorities to expand local drainage systems right away. They underlined the necessity of a coordinated drainage policy that takes Assam into account, as poor drainage there also contributes to flooding in border villages, and repeated their commitment to making sure that the residents of Umpher no longer experience recurrent losses during the rainy season.