Mizoram Struggles In Wake Of Cyclone Remal

At least 42 people have died and 5,938 houses were destroyed due to disasters in Mizoram between March and May. The Mizoram government has sought Rs 237 crore from the Centre for rehabilitation and infrastructure repair. A report by an inter-ministerial team is under consideration by the Union finance ministry.

Allocation of ₹15 crore

Chief Minister Lalduhoma has announced a ₹15 crore allocation to the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and extended ₹4 lakh as ex-gratia for the deceased. The CM, along with DM&R Minister K Sapdanga, will provide ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased in Hlimen, with the remainder to be disbursed later, following SDRF guidelines.

Accompanied by government representatives

Both officials, accompanied by government representatives, were present at Melthum to assess the situation firsthand. Power and Electricity (P&E) and Public Health Engineering (PHE) departments have issued notices stating that electricity and water supply will be disrupted until further notice as landslides and floods have damaged electric lines and water pumps. According to reports the cyclone’s toll stands at 14 fatalities in Melthum, four in Hlimen, three in Salem, two each in Falkawn and Aibawk, and one each in Lungsei and Kelsih areas within Aizawl district.

Effect of Cyclone Remal in India

Additionally, isolated areas in the hill state may experience thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph speeds. In response to the weather advisory, the Mizoram government has instructed closing all offices and public sector units on Wednesday, except for those engaged in disaster management and essential services.

About Cyclone Remal

• Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal was a moderately strong but extremely devastating and deadly tropical cyclone that affected West Bengal and Bangladesh, also became the costliest known tropical cyclone of Bangladesh in May 2024.
• It was the first depression and the first cyclonic storm of the 2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, it turned into a cyclone from a deep depression on the evening of 25 May.
• The cyclone made landfall on West Bengal and Bangladesh’s Sundarban Delta, just near the border at 8:30 pm on Sunday, 26 May as a severe cyclonic storm.
• The storm’s speed was between 100 and 135 kilometres per hour during landfall in the coastal area. Remal killed at least 84 people including 65 in India and 19 in Bangladesh. About 30 million people in Bangladesh and many in West Bengal were affected by power outages.