At least 25 people, including 14 in a stone quarry collapse, were killed in Aizwal on May 28 due to landslides and incessant rain in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal, the State disaster management authority said.
What happened in Aizawl
On May 28, Mizoram experienced devastating landslides and continuous rain due to the aftermath of Cyclone Remal, resulting in at least 25 fatalities. Among the deceased were 14 individuals who perished in a stone quarry collapse, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
The incident in Mizoram’s Aizawl district was particularly catastrophic. A landslide around 6 a.m. between Melthum and Hlimen on Aizawl’s southern outskirts led to the collapse of a stone quarry, burying numerous people under the debris. The SDMA reported that 14 bodies had been recovered so far, including two minors. Around eight individuals remain missing. The quarry, which had been abandoned for over three decades, succumbed to the intense rainfall, causing nearby houses and worker camps to cave in.
A police officer confirmed the recovery of the bodies of a four-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl from the site. Aizawl’s Deputy Commissioner Nazuk Kumar assured that search operations would persist until the area was entirely cleared. The rescue efforts, however, faced significant challenges due to continuous rain and nighttime conditions.
Apart from the quarry incident, other areas in Mizoram also suffered severely. Five people lost their lives and four remain missing due to landslides in Hlimen, while three more died in Aizawl’s Salem Veng after a building collapse. Additional fatalities were reported in Falkawn, Lungsei, and Kelsih when landslides buried homes. The SDMA mentioned that eight members of a family were swept away in a heavy landslide in Chawnpui.
The heavy rainfall and landslides isolated Aizawl from the rest of the country for several hours. National Highway-6 at Hunthar and NH-54 at Bungbangla were blocked but later cleared, restoring traffic movement by the evening.
In Assam, four people were killed and 18 injured as the state endured heavy rain and strong winds. Meanwhile, in Nagaland, four deaths and damage to over 40 houses were reported. Meghalaya also saw significant destruction, with two fatalities and over 500 injuries due to torrential downpours.
The regional center of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Guwahati predicted continued light to moderate rain in most parts of Mizoram on Wednesday, with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds up to 30-40 kmph in isolated areas.
In response to the disaster, the Mizoram government announced the closure of all offices and public sector units on Wednesday, excluding those involved in disaster management and essential services. Chief Minister Lalduhoma convened an emergency meeting with senior officials to assess the situation. He announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the families of those killed in the stone quarry collapse and other rain-induced calamities. Home Minister K. Sapdanga delivered initial cheques of ₹2 lakh each to the families of the eight Mizo victims, with the remainder to follow soon.
The government also allocated ₹15 crore to address the disasters caused by the heavy rainfall linked to Cyclone Remal. Lalduhoma and Sapdanga visited the stone quarry site to oversee rescue operations and assess the damage.
In Mamit district’s Dapchhuah, a Myanmar refugee camp and crop areas were submerged due to the rain. All schools in Mizoram were closed, and government employees, except those in essential services, were instructed to work from home. Over 50 families were relocated to safer areas as the Tlawng River overflowed, and houses were submerged in Sairang village near Aizawl.
The destruction extended across Mizoram, with around 150 houses destroyed, numerous trees and electric poles uprooted, and several roads blocked. The relentless rain from Cyclone Remal left a trail of devastation, significantly impacting the region.
Also read: Cyclone Remal Forces Assam Schools to Close Amid Severe Weather Alerts; Announces CM on 28 May
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