Landslides and house collapses in Mizoram, five dead in 10 days

Aizawl: Mizoram has been grappling with severe monsoon-related calamities over the past 10 days, including widespread landslides, house collapses, and flash floods, resulting in five reported deaths, according to the state’s Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department on June 3. The department’s data reveals that three fatalities occurred in Champhai district, while Aizawl and Serchhip districts each reported one death. The casualties were primarily due to the collapse of houses and walls triggered by landslides and flash floods. Mizoram has witnessed a total of 552 landslides across multiple locations during this period, with 152 houses either collapsing or sustaining damage from the relentless rain. Additionally, 198 families abandoned their homes due to landslides or fissures, and another 92 families evacuated following floods. Champhai district, located in east Mizoram along the Myanmar border, bore the brunt of the disaster with three deaths, 209 landslides, nine houses damaged, and 14 families evacuated. Serchhip district reported one death, 75 landslides, 27 damaged houses, and 132 families displaced due to landslides, fissures, and floods. Aizawl district experienced 18 landslides, with 13 houses damaged or destroyed and 17 families forced to abandon their homes. Other affected districts include Khawzawl (75 landslides), Lunglei (60 landslides), and Siaha in south Mizoram, which reported 53 landslides. Damage to housing was significant, with Siaha district reporting 29 damaged houses, Kolasib 23, Lunglei 18, and Khawzawl nine. Due to the ongoing heavy rainfall, all schools across Mizoram, except those in Saitual district, remained closed on Tuesday. Transportation of essential commodities has also been affected, with over 100 trucks stranded in Serchhip district. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Aizawl received 253.7 mm of rainfall in the past three days, followed by Khawzawl with 248.33 mm and Siaha with 241.5 mm. The IMD forecast light to moderate rainfall in the state over the next five days. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents to remain cautious as relief and rehabilitation efforts are underway.