Three of family die in landslide in Assam

Three members of a family died, and another was injured in a landslide in Assam’s Guwahati on Tuesday, police said.

The incident occurred in the Mathgharia area of the city when they were sleeping in their house, a senior officer said. “A couple and their daughter died in the landslide. The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem,” he said.

The couple’s son was rescued from beneath the debris and was taken to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, the officer said.

Incessant rain since early Tuesday is suspected to have triggered the landslide, he said. Locals said the man 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.

The 19-year-old 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.