Mizoram plunges into darkness after squall

TNT News

TNT News

AIZAWL: Major parts of Mizoram have been literally reeling under darkness following a pre-monsoon squall lashed the hilly state on Monday night that damaged a number of power sub-stations and houses.

Two persons have lost their lives in related incidents. One labourer Tej Bahadur, 65, of Vaivakawn locality, died when a landslide buried him and another worker, Tuesday morning. His co-worker was rescued and sustained minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Rallianthanga, 47, of Baktawng village in Aizawl district, instantly died as he was struck by lightning in a jhum field around 2:30pm Tuesday. Rallianthanga and other local church members were engaged in clearing weeds in the jhum field. After others went home, he and the jhum owner stayed back to repair the jhum hut. He was struck by the lightning when he was spreading a silpaulin sheet for the roof of the jhum hut, sources from the village said.

According to Aizawl district deputy commissioner, at least 181 houses in Aizawl city and surrounding villages were destroyed. Of these, 76 houses were reported as "severely damaged," and 91 were partially damaged.

The entire Mizoram, except for Kolasib district bordering Assam, reeled under darkness since Monday night as the squall damaged power transmission line.

In related incident, one labourer Tej Bahadur, 65, of Vaivakawn locality, died when a landslide buried him and another worker, Tuesday morning.

On Monday night, a flying GI roof hit a car and injured four people travelling in it. They were released after being administered first aid at Aizawl Civil Hospital.

State directorate of science & technology officials said they did not receive any prior warning on the massive strong winds hitting Mizoram.

Aizawl district disaster management authority dismissed rumours that last night squall was a cyclone.

ADMA CEO and Aizawl additional DC Lalchungnunga said they did not receive any warning from India meteorological department. Refuting rumours on social media that it was Southeast Asia cyclone, the official said it was an unforeseen pre-monsoon squall.

ADMA is undertaking relief works in the district.

Rural areas were not hit hard by the squall.

33KV power sub-stations that supply power to different parts of Mizoram, including Aizawl city, were damaged.

Normal power supply could not be restored till Wednesday afternoon.

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