Landslides block National Highway in Mizoram

Landslides, triggered by heavy rain over the past fortnight, have disrupted traffic along the National Highway 54 in Mizoram.

Aizwal (Mizoram), Oct 1 : Landslides, triggered by heavy rain over the past fortnight, have disrupted traffic along the National Highway 54 in Mizoram.

The NH-54 connects Mizoram to Assam.

Due to the disrupted traffic, more than 150 trucks are known to be stranded on the Silchar and Aizawl road.

Monsoon has played havoc in various forms like landslides, flood water, land sinking and blockade of highways in this hilly state.

This year, Mizoram received around 100 millimetres of rain, the highest ever in the past six years.

This has resulted in a hike in the prices of basic commodities and vegetables.

The Disaster Risk Management cell of Aizawl has distributed plastic sheets to cover the landslides prone areas in the state.

"Chief Secretary convened a meeting on Sunday and we worked out as to what can be done. We will be responsible as to how best we can support the people," said Dominic Lalhmingngaia, Consultant, Disaster Risk Management Programme Cell.

Among the four people feared dead, two are children.

The State Government has announced an ex-gratia grant for the four victims. In Aizwal itself, around 27 cases of landslide have been reported.

More than 110 houses near Assam and the bordering areas have been evacuated with the rains having caused widespread damage to property.

Over 3000 hectares of cropland and 1280 fishing ponds have been destroyed by the floodwater.

ANI