Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: Incessant rain has paralyzed Mizoram, triggering landslides and floods across multiple districts. The state government issued an advisory on Monday, July 13, urging tourists to postpone all travel until weather conditions stabilize. Visitors with existing plans are encouraged to reschedule to avoid significant safety risks.
The Khawthlangtuipui River breached its banks in Lunglei district, near the Bangladesh border. The resulting floodwaters forced the evacuation of 100 families from Tlabung town and surrounding areas. This includes 42 families whose homes were submerged and another 40 residents from Tipperaghat village who had to flee their homes and the local marketplace.
Road connectivity is shattered. A massive landslide near Bualte village blocked National Highway 54, trapping 200 travelers for four days. This blockage effectively cut off the southern districts of Lawngtlai and Siaha from the rest of the state. While earth-moving equipment is deployed, frequent mudslides continue to hinder clearance efforts. A brief window on July 10 allowed some vehicles to pass, but renewed rainfall quickly closed the route again.
Further disruptions plague the capital. A major rockfall at Ngaizel on the southern outskirts of Aizawl has rendered the Aizawl-Thenzawl-Lunglei Highway impassable. The debris remains uncleared. Meanwhile, in Serchhip district, the Mat River overflowed and submerged critical agricultural fields.
The India Meteorological Department recorded the highest rainfall in Serchhip at 34 mm over the past 24 hours. Khawzawl saw 17.5 mm, while Siaha, Lunglei, and Aizawl recorded 16.5 mm, 14 mm, and 8.4 mm respectively. Landslides and rockfalls have been reported across 29 locations. No casualties have surfaced.
Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Lalnilawma inspected the damage at Ngaizel on Thursday. He pledged that the state would handle the crisis with oversight. "The state government is fully prepared to respond to any disaster-related emergency," Lalnilawma said. He promised that relief and financial aid would be distributed quickly and transparently.
In unrelated administrative news, the government announced the July 1 launch of the MizoTaxi app in Aizawl. This mobile platform aims to curb fare overcharging for taxis, two-wheeler taxis, and auto-rickshaws by allowing passengers to verify government-approved rates.
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