Remal Triggers Deadly Landslides in Northeast, 23 Killed in Mizoram Quarry Collapse

Guwahati:  At least 22 people are killed and 13 others reported missing as a stone quarry collapsed in Mizoram’s Aizawl district on Tuesday morning amid incessant rains as an impact of Cyclone Remal. And in the heavy storms and rains that lashed Assam in the wake of the cyclonic storm, at least two people were killed in the northeastern state.

Briefing the media about the damages and relief operations, Mizoram director-general of police Anil Shukla said that the state capital was cut off from the rest of the country due to massive landslides.

Mr Shukla said that that incident took place in an area between Melthum and Hlimen on the southern outskirts of Aizawl town on Tuesday morning, adding that several people are reported missing from various parts of Aizawl.

“We have recovered 17 bodies so far and eight people are still missing. The rescue operations are going on. We suspect that more people are still trapped under the rubble,” he said, pointing out that the heavy rain is affecting rescue operations at the disaster site.

The Mizoram DGP said that there are reports of landslides due to heavy rains at several other places in the state in which two persons have been swept away.

According to state officials involved in the relief operation, the administration is carrying out rescue operations at several places. The officials said that a four-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl were among the victims of the stone quarry collapse.

The state officials said that Aizawl is cut off from the rest of the country due to a landslide on National Highway 6 at Hunthar. Besides, several intra-state highways have also been damaged by landslides, they said.
Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma, who is monitoring the rescue operations, convened an emergency meeting with home minister K. Sapdanga, chief secretary Renu Sharma and other senior officials to take stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, the state government has announced '4 lakhs ex-gratia for the families of those killed in calamities caused by rains, including the quarry collapse.

Because of the rain, the state government has ordered the closure of all the schools. Government employees, except those involved in providing essential services, have been asked to work from home. Also, more than 30 families have been shifted to safer places due to unprecedented flooding of the Tlawng river at Sairang village, about 21 km from Aizawl.
In neighbouring Assam, authorities said that at least two persons, including a student, were killed and 17 others injured following the heavy storms and rains.

The heavy storm also disrupted the power supply in several parts of the state. According to official sources, reports of uprooted trees snapping electricity supply lines and blocking roads in many places were received.

A major tragedy was averted in Dhekiajuli when a large tree, under the impact of strong wind, fell on a school bus ferrying students on Tuesday. The officials said that at least 12 students from Usha English School were injured in the incident. However, all of them are out of danger.

The Assam state disaster management authority (ASDMA) also confirmed the death of one person and many injuries in the storm-related incidents.

The ASDMA official said that the agency is on high alert and is assisting the district authorities in rescue operations at several places. “We have received reports of at least 17 injuries so far,” an official said.

Following the heavy rains, a large portion of the Haflong-Silchar link road in Dima Hasao district washed away due to rising river water levels. The deputy commissioner of district Simanta Kumar Das, said that the district administration has closed the Haflong-Silchar connecting road until June 1.

"Several landslide incidents are reported from various parts of the district. The rescue teams are in place. One part of the Haflong-Silchar road is breached. We are monitoring the situation and have issued an alert message. As of now, there is no report of any casualties in the district," said Mr Das.

According to ASDMA officials, 11 districts, including Kamrup, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Morigaon, are severely affected by the cyclone.