Shillong, June 29: Thousands of inhabitants along the Umkhrah and its adjoining areas were displaced today after flash floods rendered them homeless.

Incessant rainfall in the city since Sunday resulted in the rise in the water level of the Umkhrah and other rivers flowing through the city.

However, this morning, the residents of Pynthorbah, Golf Link, Demseiniong, Lumshyiap, Langkyrding and parts of Nongmynsong were severely impacted because of the flash floods. Other areas which were affected, include parts of Mawlai Phudmuri and Mawlai Nongpdeng. Most of these localities are near the banks of the Umkhrah, which have, over the years, been severely encroached upon.

While around 700 houses were affected, nearly 2,000 people were partially displaced, Pynthorbah legislator and water resources minister A.L. Hek said.

Speaking over phone from Calcutta, Hek said while houses were damaged, there have been no reports to indicate any human casualty.

The minister said instructions have been given to respective headmen of the localities to shift the displaced people to community halls.

“I have instructed the headmen to move the displaced people to community halls and to provide them with blankets and food,” Hek said.

Around 1,000 blankets and food cooked in a local hotel will be distributed to the affected people, he said, while adding that volunteers from the constituency would provide initial relief to the victims. At Polo, which also houses football and cricket grounds, several vehicles were stranded, while some were nearly immersed.

Hek said orders have been issued to officials of the water resources department to assess the situation. Police officials and magistrates have also been deputed to oversee the rehabilitation of the displaced. At the time of filing this report, the water level in and around the affected localities had begun to recede.

“Some people have gone back to their homes to clean the debris but it is impossible for them to cook. Hence, we will be providing them food tonight,” Hek said, while adding that he would return to the city tomorrow to assess the situation.