Aizawl/Guwahati: At least 23 people were killed in rain-related disasters, including a quarry collapse, in Mizoram as heavy rains hindered rescue efforts in the region, authorities said.
Mudslides were reported from several localities of the state capital Aizawl Tuesday morning leading to loss of lives and property. Aizawl remains cut off from the rest of India with landslides at several places bringing traffic movement to a halt on National Highway-6.
Additionally, several intrastate highways have also been disrupted by rockfalls. The extent of the damage caused by heavy rains is still being assessed. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has announced Rs 15 crore for relief work and Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of those who died in these disasters.
State officials told ThePrint that a mudslide was reported at a stone quarry around 6 am in the southern part of Aizawl, between the localities of Melthum and Hlimen. While 13 bodies have been recovered so far in Melthum, some are feared to be trapped under the debris, officials said.
Another landslide took place in Falkawn locality, resulting in the death of one person. Three of a family perished when their house was swept away in the landslide at Salem Veng locality. Six bodies were recovered from Hlimen locality in Aizawl.
An extensive search has been carried out by the authorities aided by the Young Mizo Association, the largest civil society organisation in the state.
Cyclone Remal has triggered several landslides in the northeast, including Mizoram, informed officials in the state Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department (DM&R).
“We have seen pictures and videos showing the devastation caused by wind and rain in different parts of Mizoram. Relief work is ongoing in these areas,” Mizoram DM&R minister K. Sapdanga told ThePrint,
The police, however, fear that rescue efforts might be hindered due to the inclement weather.
All schools in the state remained closed Tuesday because of the strong winds and rain.
A notification issued by the state school education department late Monday evening said the decision to close government offices and schools was taken in consultation with the state disaster department, following warnings issued by the meteorological department.
Also Read: Cyclone Remal kills 2 in Bengal before weakening, Met says moderate rain to continue
Situation in Assam, Manipur
Three people were killed in Morigaon, Kamrup and Kamrup Metro districts in cyclonic storms in the past 24 hours, according to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
Of the three casualties, one was 17-year-old student Kaushik Amphi, who was killed in Morigaon district when a large tree crashed on the vehicle he was travelling in. Four others were injured.
Putul Gogoi, a worker of the NHPC project in Gerukamukh along Assam-Arunachal border, was killed in a landsite at the site, a press statement from the CM’s Public Relations Cell stated. However, the ASDMA authorities have not confirmed the death as yet.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the chief secretary to ensure all necessary assistance to the affected families and timely treatment for the injured.
Devashish Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Morigaon district, told ThePrint that a circular was issued around 8 am Tuesday for schools to remain closed because of the cyclonic storm.
In Sonitpur district, 12 students of the Ursula English School in Dhekiajuli were injured when a heavy branch fell on their school bus. The injured were attended to and rushed to the nearby medical centre.
Taking to X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured people that the state government was monitoring the situation and requested everyone to stay indoors until the situation stabilised. “Power supply is disrupted in lower Assam, including Guwahati,” he added.
Cyclone Remal has affected Assam, causing storms in many areas. Tragically, a student, Kausik Bordoloi Amphi (17), died in Marigaon, and 12 students were injured in Dekhiajuli due to falling trees. In Guwahati,Uprooted trees in places like Cotton University and Jyoti Chitraban…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 28, 2024
While roads are being cleared in several places, there were reports of flash floods in Karimganj district. Schools have also been shut in some areas.
According to the Regional Meteorological Department, the depression or residue of the cyclonic storm Remal is likely to move east-northeastwards, and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over Assam and neighbouring areas by Tuesday evening.
In Manipur, the cyclonic storm caused landslides and flash floods in the valley districts and hill areas. There was damage to property but no loss of life has been reported.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh mentioned in a social media post that one gate of the Ethai Barrage in Bishnupur district had been opened.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, and any further openings will be done in consultation with the Water Resources Department (WRD) and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC),” he wrote. “Our official teams are working tirelessly around the clock to manage this situation effectively and ensure the safety of our communities.”
(This is an updated version of the report)
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Also Read: More than 1,300 Myanmar nationals pour into Mizoram to escape clashes across border