At least 24 people have died in landslides and floods as Cyclone Remal hit northeast India, forcing religious groups to join government agencies in providing assistance. UCA News reported this on May 29.
17 people were killed in landslides in Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram state, on May 28 when a quarry collapsed.
Six more people were killed in West Bengal province and its coastal areas suffered severe damage to infrastructure and property, government officials said.
A 17-year-old boy died and several others were injured during heavy rains and strong winds in the state of Assam, authorities said.
Some of the 17 people killed in Mizoram are Christians, according to Bishop Stephen Rotluanga of Aizawl.
On May 29, the bishop said he “fears that the causality may be greater in different parts of the state, as heavy rains and storms are reportedly causing landslides, uprooting and felling of trees, and loss of property.” “.
However, no churches reported damage or loss of property, the bishop said, adding: “The situation here is quite frightening, but the government and the local population are working hand in hand and assisting in humanitarian rescue efforts.”
The region faces these types of disasters “almost every year due to heavy rains and storms,” the bishop recalled, but the “Christian community here is very strong and supports each other in difficult times.”
Jonas Lakra, Caritas India’s zonal program director for the northeast region, said that apart from the deaths in Mizoram, they are also receiving reports of deaths and destruction of property in other parts of the region. “But Mizoram suffered the most.”– he said.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma announced financial assistance to the landslide victims amounting to 150 million Indian rupees (about $1.8 million).
A state government official said Rs 400,000 each would be given to the relatives of those killed in the landslide.
The Mizoram government has ordered the closure of all schools and institutions except those providing essential services as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on May 28 warned of extremely heavy rain across the state for the next few days.
Several parts of Kolkata, capital of West Bengal state, were affected by traffic disruptions due to flooded roads and uprooted trees.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on social media X that Cyclone Remal caused a lot of damage but there were relatively few casualties due to timely action by the government.
A state government official in Manipur said the monsoon situation in the mountainous Ukhrul region has led to numerous reports of landslides, including the demolition of electric poles in Phungreitang.
In Nagaland, disaster management authorities warned of heavy rain and advised people to stay away from rivers. Heavy rain is expected in the hills of the state this week.
Source: Rossa Primavera
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.