Monsoon fury in Mizoram, national highways blocked, power supply snapped in many places

By Isaac Zoramsanga

Monsoon has arrived in Mizoram and is creating havoc leaving trails of destruction across the state as incessant downpour continued for the past three days.

National Highway No 54 and 306 has been blocked by a massive landslide at the outskirts of western Aizawl since early Friday morning and the landslide completely covered a RCC building being constructed. With the nearby area being endangered, 11 families have been evacuated to safe places.

As the highway is the lone connecting Lengpui Airport, a number of people were stranded on Friday.

The alternative route from Kawnpui in Assam border Kolasib district to Azawl via Lungdai was opened for car and other vehicles but movement of heavy vehicles have been restricted.
The World Bank funded road linking Aizawl with south Mizoram’s Lunglei town was also blocked at Ngaizel neighbourhood in southern outskirts of Aizawl by falling rocks which damaged at least 5 vehicles including a city bus. The road, however, is now open.

Massive landslides also blocked highway between Aizawl and Myanmar border Champhai town near Seling village since Friday.

Tripura border Mamit district has been without power since Wednesday night as trees uprooted by strong wind and heavy rainfall snapped transmission lines in a number of places.

The road for transporting electric poles was blocked by fallen trees at two places creating problems for workers trying to restore power supply.

People of southernmost Mizoram’s Sangau town and surrounding villages in Lawngtlai district are also facing power crisis as well as water supply problem due to prolonged cessation of power supply in the area.

Patients who required electronic equipment for treatment are also facing serious problems due to the absence of electricity.

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