Aizawl (Mizoram) [India], May 28 (ANI): Cyclone Remal has claimed the lives of 27 people in the Melthum, Hlimen, Falkawn, and Salem Veng areas of the state’s capital, Aizawl, the state government said in a release.
According to the Directorate of Information, Public Relations (DIPR), Mizoram, “27 bodies have been found so far as search and rescue operations continue, with State Disaster Response Force personnel teaming up with Melthum Local Council and YMA.”
Chief Minister Lalduhoma has announced a State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) of Rs 15 crore and Rs 4 lakh as ex-gratia for the deceased.
CM Lalduhoma and DM&R Minister K Sapdanga will give Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased at Hlimen, and the other half of the ex-gratia will be given later, as per SDRF norms.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Minister in Charge of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation (DM&R) K Sapdanga were on-site at Melthum with other government officials.
Power and Electricity (P&E) and Public Health Engineering (PHE) departments have issued notices stating that electricity and water supply will be stifled until further notice as electric lines and water pumps have been damaged by landslides and floods.
As per reports from Mizoram DIPR, the cylone killed 14 in Melthum, 4 in Hlimen, 3 in Salem, 2 each in Falkawn and Aibawk, and 1 each in Lungsei and Kelsih areas of Aizawl district.
The search and rescue operations have been updated as of 7 pm on May 28. (ANI)

Mizoram CM Lalduhoma visits disaster sites in Aizawl

Aizawl (Mizoram), May 28: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma visited two disaster sites in Aizawl city on Tuesday, which were severely affected by the heavy rainfall from Cyclone Remal, claiming 17 lives.
State Home Minister K Sapdanga, who is also holding the portfolio of disaster management and rehabilitation, along with several ministers, MLAs, and officials were also present.
CM Lalduhoma expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the loss of lives and valuable property.
He also offered well wishes to the search and rescue operation teams, volunteers, and everyone involved in the relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Before heading to the disaster-struck sites, the Chief Minister first visited the Aizawl District Disaster Operation Centre (DC Conference Hall) where he was briefed by the officials about the latest developments regarding the disaster.
He instructed all the district disaster management authorities to prepare a detailed report for their districts. During this session, he announced the sanctioning of Rs 15 crore from the Disaster Mitigation Fund for the mitigation initiatives. Additionally, he declared that a sum of Rs 4 lakh would be provided as ex-gratia to the families of those who lost their lives due to the cyclone-induced disaster.
Following the announcement, the distribution of the first installment of ex-gratia was immediately initiated.

CM Lalduhoma then proceeded to Melthum village, where the highest number of casualties occurred. The post-mortem was conducted at the Melthum Presbyterian Hall.
As of now, 17 bodies have been recovered from three locations.
The Chief Minister and Home Minister personally handed over Rs 2 lakh each to the identified 8 victims belonging to local communities as the initial payment of ex-gratia.
The remaining Rs 2 lakh will be disbursed after all reports are finalised. For non-resident casualties, bank transfers will be arranged upon identification and completion of the necessary reports.
Additionally, the Chief Minister provided Rs 50,000 to the Melthum Branch YMA to cover search and rescue expenses in their locality.
Following their program at the Hall, the Chief Minister and Home Minister toured all the rescue operation sites in Melthum. However, due to connectivity issues, they were unable to visit the Hlimen calamity site.
After concluding their visit to Melthum, the Chief Minister proceeded to the site of the landslide at Kanan Locality Cemetery.
The local authorities reported that 51 graves were exposed and destroyed by the landslide. At this juncture, many buried dead bodies were identified and had already been recovered.
The Chief Minister also allocated Rs 50,000 to assist with their rescue expenses. Even as the search and rescue operation is ongoing, the exact number of casualties has not been confirmed yet. (ANI)

Tripura CM monitors flood-like situation, ensures swift rescue, relief efforts

Agartala (Tripura) [India], May 29 (ANI): Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday said that the government is closely monitoring the overall situation to ensure that no one faces any problems during these difficult times. He mentioned that due to heavy rainfall in the wake of Cyclone Remal, the Howrah River has created a flood-like situation.
“But this time it is much less severe than last time. The work on the dam has been very good this year, so the water levels have been managed much better,” he said.
Dr. Saha said this after observing the flood situation in the Bardowali Assembly constituency area of the capital on Tuesday.
As the water level of the Howrah River rose due to Cyclone Remal, the residents along the riverbank had to take shelter in relief camps once again.

He said that the victims are being quickly rescued from areas that are in dangerous conditions due to the flooding of the Howrah River.
“All their accommodations are being arranged by the administration,” said Dr. Saha.
Later, the Chief Minister inspected the condition of the people who took shelter in the local Vivekananda School relief camp and inquired about their well-being.
Dr. Saha said, “The government is ensuring that no one faces any kind of difficulty at this time. Action has also been taken by AMC. The Mayor of AMC has also been informed. There are many people who do not want to leave their homes. Many have taken shelter on the roofs. But I request them to move to a safe place because a lot of water is coming from the mountains to the river. So, you need to be careful in advance. The state administration is prepared to deal with all kinds of situations.”
During the visit, the Chief Minister was accompanied by Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumdar, West District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, and others. (ANI)