Cyclone Remal devastates NE: 13 dead in Mizoram, 2 in Assam and Meghalaya, power cut, mobile, road, train and flight services disrupted

Roads and bridges have been washed away, trees and electrical poles uprooted, landslides have hit several parts of Northeast in the last 24 hours

A day after Cyclone Remal made landfall in coastal West Bengal and Bangladesh on May 25 midnight, heavy rains and storms lashed across the northeast leaving a trail of destruction and devastation.

At least 13 workers were killed when a landslide because of the heavy rains resulted in the collapse of a stone quarry in in Melthum just about 20 minutes away from capital city Aizawl. Another 16 people are feared trapped. Two people have been lucky to have been rescued.

Storm and heavy rainfall owing to the impact of Cyclone Remal has left a trail of devastation in different parts of Assam. As per information available a school student lost his life after a tree uprooted and fell on a vehicle in Morigaon district. Another person, a worker at the NHPC project in Gerukamukh, also died in a landslide at the site. Scores of others were also reportedly injured in different rain related incidents across the state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that the situation is being monitored closely. In a post on X, the Assam CM said that necessary instructions have been issued to the concerned officials to immediately reach out to those in distress.

“Heavy storms are lashing parts of the State and is expected to continue. I’ve instructed officials to be alert to respond to exigencies at the earliest. Request citizens to not venture out unless there is an emergency and be safe. We are constantly monitoring the situation,” the Assam CM wrote in his post.

https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1795329693643948501

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also confirmed about the demise of the student in Morigaon, who lost his life after an uprooted tree fell on him. While requesting everyone to stay indoors and not to venture out unless there is something important, CM Sarma also informed about the extensive damages caused by storm in the Guwahati city.

The Assam CM stated, “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 caused no damage to people or buildings. Power supply is disrupted in lower Assam, including Guwahati. We are monitoring the situation and request everyone to stay indoors until the situation stabilizes.”

https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1795330615262208160

It may be mentioned that Kaushik Bordoloi lost his life when he was on his way to school. The incident happened at Digholbari in Marigaon. Three more students have sustained injuries in the incident. Morigaon DC Debashis Sarma met with the family of the deceased student and took stock of the situation.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, currently in Odisha, spoke to the Chief Secretary of the state to assess the situation and directed close monitoring of relief, rehabilitation, and precautionary measures. Reports indicate uprooted trees, damaged houses and power infrastructure across the state, with injuries to a few school students in Dhekiajuli and loss of lives of two persons due to heavy rain and cyclone.

SDRF, Fire Service, Police, APDCL, Health and Forest officials are on high alert and engaged in restorative efforts. Flash floods have been reported in parts of Karimganj district, prompting the district administration to remain on high alert. An orange alert has been issued in Dhubri, South Salmara, Bajali, Barpeta, and Nalbari, while a red alert is in effect for Chirang, Goalpara, Baksa, Tamulpur, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj. A yellow alert has been issued for the remaining districts for May 28 and 29.

The Chief Minister has expressed his shock and deep sorrow over the loss of lives of Kaushik Amphi, a student from Dhupguri area in Morigaon district, who died on the spot due to a fallen tree during the storm, and Putul Gogoi, a worker at the NHPC project in Gerukamukh, who died in a landslide at the site. He directed the Chief Secretary to ensure all necessary assistance to the affected families and timely treatment for the injured. As per the Chief Minister’s direction, the Chief Secretary will hold a video conference with the District Commissioners and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, in the presence of the Director General of Police, at 5:30 PM today to assess the situation and monitor precautionary measures across the state.

In Manipur, bridges have been washed away, District Hospital at Kangpokpi is under water and landslides have been reported from various locations in and around Kangpokpi. As per inputs from Churachandpur, the water levels of different rivers- Tuitha, Lanva, Koite, Chiengkon and Lailam have swelled following incessant heavy downpour.

Most rivers in the district were flooded as heavy rainfall beats from early morning till now .The rivers are Tuitha river ,Lanva rivers ,Koite river ,Chiengkon and Lailam river flowing in the town areas.

Massive landslides were also witnessed along the Imphal-Jiribam highway where several vehicles were left stranded. What can be understood from the visuals is the fact that a portion of the strategic road apparently has been washed away. A truck was also seen falling from the edge of the road into a deep gorge. Normal life has also been badly affected in Manipur capital Imphal due to flash flooding due to heavy downpour.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has requested everyone to avoid vulnerable and isolated locations as the Met department has issued a red alert for the state.

“.@Indiametdept has issued a red alert for the next three days with a prediction of thunderstorms with lightning and extremely heavy rainfall in Papumpare, West Kameng, East Kameng, and Pakke-Kessang districts. I request everyone to take all precautionary measures and avoid vulnerable and isolated locations. In case of any emergency, please contact the District Administration,” CM Khandu wrote in a post on X.

https://x.com/PemaKhanduBJP/status/1795281463166079093

Inputs suggest that heavy landslides have led to road block in Rupa, West Kameng district following incessant rain since Monday. A bolero pickup was hit by sliding stones at Rupa Mod in West Kameng district this morning. The vehicle was damaged, however, no casualty is reported. The incessant rain is reported from other parts of the district also.

Landslides was also reported from Joram to Koloriang road in Kurung Kumey district due to heavy rainfall
In Meghalaya too, along with the rest of the Northeast, normal life was severly affected in Meghalaya following incessant heavy rainfall since Monday. One person lost his life while at least 7 others were injured in multiple incidents of landslide in the state. A total of 134 persons have been affected due to the calamity.

Tripura Chief Manik Saha has informed that government agencies are working round the clock in view of the threat posed by the impact of Cyclone Remal, which has already unleashed it’s fury in the state as well as in different parts of the Northeast. He also lauded the officials involved in the exercise for their tireless efforts to deal with the situation.

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