TURA: A family picnic in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills took a tragic turn on Sunday when an Agriculture Department official was swept away by the raging currents of the Ganol River. Tseseng M Sangma, who was posted in Ampati, disappeared beneath the forceful waters while attempting to cross the swollen river, leaving his family in shock and prompting a massive search operation.
According to police, Sangma, a resident of the staff quarters near Dolampong in Tura, had organised a day out with his family. The group was near the Sella Wari area when the incident occurred. Heavy and continuous downpour overnight had caused the Ganol River, a popular spot, to swell significantly, transforming it into a perilous waterway. Despite the treacherous conditions, Sangma reportedly tried to make his way across the river and was immediately overwhelmed by the powerful currents, vanishing from sight.
His family immediately raised the alarm, and a multi-agency search and rescue effort was swiftly launched. Local swimmers, volunteers, and the Fire and Emergency Services joined forces to scour the riverbank and waters downstream. However, as the day wore on, poor visibility due to the overcast conditions hampered the search. By 7:30 p.m., with no sign of the missing official, the search was temporarily called off for the night.
West Garo Hills SP Abraham T Sangma confirmed that the search for the missing official would resume with renewed vigour on Monday morning. Authorities have issued a stern warning to the public, advising them to stay away from rivers and streams in the region. The Ganol, along with other rivers in the area, has witnessed a sharp and dangerous rise in water levels following the weekend’s heavy rainfall, making any river-based activity extremely risky. The incident serves as a grim reminder of nature’s unpredictable power, especially during the monsoon season.
Read More: Lion’s New Eye Centre in Dhubri Inaugurated, But Language Omission Stirs Controversy