Cyclone Remal claims 27 lives in Aizawl district; landslides and floods cause damage to public infrastructure

Cyclone Remal has caused death and calamity in Aizawl city, as landslides claim lives and cause destruction to property at Melthum, Hlimen, Falkawn and Salem Veng. 27 bodies have been found so far (at time of reporting) as search and rescue operations continue, with State Disaster Response Force personnel teaming up with Melthum Local Council and YMA. Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Minister in charge of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation (DM&R) K. Sapdanga were on-site at Melthum with other goverment officials.

Power and Electricity (P&E) and Public Health Engineering (PHE) departments have issued notices stating that electricity and water supply will be stifled until further notice as electric lines and water pumps have been damaged by landslides and floods.

Chief Minister Lalduhoma has announced a State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) of ₹15 crore and ₹4 lakh as ex-gratia for the deceased. The Chief Minister Lalduhoma and DM&R Minister K. Sapdanga will give ₹2 lakhs to the kin of the deceased at Hlimen, and the other half of the ex-gratia will be given later, as per SDRF norms. Other districts will be given funds from SRDF as needed.