The onslaught of Cyclone Remal has resulted in the tragic loss of 36 lives across four northeastern states in India, with Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya bearing the brunt of heavy rains and landslides on Tuesday. The severe weather conditions have brought daily life to a standstill across the region, disrupting transportation and utilities.
Mizoram: The state suffered the highest casualties, with 27 people killed, including 21 victims of a quarry collapse in Aizawl district. Multiple landslides in the district claimed additional lives and left ten people missing. Disaster management and police officials have recovered 21 bodies from the quarry site located between Melthum and Hlimen, with several more feared trapped under debris. Other fatalities were reported in Salem, Aibawk, Lungsei, Kelsih, and Falkawn due to landslides.
Nagaland: Four fatalities occurred in different incidents, with extensive damage reported to more than 40 houses across the state. A minor boy drowned near Laruri village in the Meluri subdivision of Phek district, while two drownings were reported from Doyang Dam in Wokha district. An elderly man was killed by a collapsing wall in Phek.
Assam: The state recorded three deaths and 17 injuries across Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), and Morigaon districts. A notable incident involved a tree branch falling on a school bus in Dhekiajuli, Sonitpur district, injuring 12 students. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported additional injuries in Morigaon and highlighted the widespread impact of heavy storms in districts such as Bongaigaon, Chirang, Darrang, Dhubri, Hojai, Kamrup, Kamrup Metro, Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar, Morigaon, Nagaon, Sonitpur, South Salmara, and West Karbi Anglong.
Meghalaya: Two deaths were reported in the state, with one fatality in East Jaintia Hills and another in a car accident in East Khasi Hills. Over 100 injuries and significant property damage occurred due to relentless rainfall, affecting 17 villages. Landslides and flash floods disrupted major roads and areas in Shillong, Mawlai, and other localities.
Tripura faced heavy rain and winds of up to 60 km/h, damaging 470 houses and displacing 750 people, who have taken refuge in 15 relief camps. The state recorded an average of 215.5 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with Unakoti district experiencing the highest at 252.4 mm. Arunachal Pradesh has been placed on high alert by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for extremely heavy rainfall, prompting Chief Minister Pema Khandu to urge residents to avoid vulnerable locations.
The widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Remal underscores the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and response mechanisms to mitigate the impact of such extreme weather events in the future.
Edited by Dr. Brijendra Kumar Mishra, (Disaster Risk Reduction Expert)