Aizawl, Sep 9 (PTI): Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Lalnilawma on Wednesday urged people affected by the ongoing heavy rains to remain calm and immediately report landslides, road blockages and other emergencies to authorities for swift response.
In a video message, Lalnilawma said heavy rainfall in recent days had triggered landslides and disrupted roads at several locations across the state.
He said that Zonal Officers were stationed in different localities to assist affected residents, while disaster management committees had been constituted at village and local levels under the supervision of the respective deputy commissioners.
The minister urged people facing emergencies to promptly contact the authorities concerned, saying the Department of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation (DM&R) was prepared to respond to distress situations.
He also appealed to residents to make use of the Khuarel App, developed by the department to enable people to report emergencies through smartphones, particularly when landslides block or disrupt roads within localities or between villages.
“Zonal Officers and Deputy Commissioners will be able to receive the reports immediately and take prompt decisions on the necessary action,” Lalnilawma said, stressing the importance of timely reporting during the monsoon-related emergencies.
Lalnilawma, who also holds the PHE portfolio, warned of possible water-supply disruptions in Aizawl following damage to key water infrastructure.
He said a landslide had blocked the Greater Aizawl Water Supply Scheme Phase III, one of the capital’s major water sources, preventing water from being pumped.
The gravity-based supply from the Setlak area has also been affected by earth from the ongoing Aizawl Western Bypass Road construction.
The minister appealed to residents to understand the situation and cooperate with the authorities amid the possibility of water shortages.
According to Aizawl Meteorological Centre of Indian Meteorological Department (IDM), rainfall ranging from 4 mm to 210 mm was received in different parts of the state during the last 24 hours.
Aizawl received 46.4 mm, Lunglei 26.2 mm, Kolasib 23 mm, Mamit 54 mm, Lawngtlai 23.5 mm, Saitual 17.5 mm, Champhai 4.5 mm, Khawzawl 28.5 mm, Serchhip 19.5 mm, Hnahthial 15.5 and Siaha received 24.5 mm rainfall during the same period, it said.
