How Have Incessant Rains Claimed Lives in NE States?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Three fatalities reported due to heavy rainfall in northeastern India.
- Continuous rain has caused major disruptions to daily life.
- Authorities are on high alert for potential landslides and waterlogging.
- Emergency response systems are closely monitoring the situation.
- Forecasts predict further heavy rainfall in the coming days.
Guwahati/Aizawl, May 30 (NationPress) Three individuals, including a child, have tragically lost their lives across three northeastern states as continuous rainfall severely disrupted daily life in the region. This weather pattern was caused by a depression located in the Bay of Bengal, according to officials on Friday.
An official from the Mizoram Disaster Management Authority reported that one person died and another sustained injuries when a wall collapsed in Thuampui, Aizawl on Friday due to relentless rain over the preceding 24 hours.
The official confirmed that the retaining wall's failure resulted in the death of Lalnunmawia, 36, while Lalfakzuala, 35, is currently receiving medical attention.
Another official indicated that schools in the Aizawl district were closed for the second day in a row as heavy rain triggered landslides throughout the mountainous state.
In Tripura, a 16-year-old named Tanmoy Debnath drowned while fishing in a pond after persistent rains in Jirania, situated in West Tripura district.
As a result of the rainfall starting Thursday, 106 homes, including 33 that were severely damaged, were reported across various districts, forcing more than 210 individuals from 57 families to seek refuge in four relief camps located in West Tripura and Khowai districts.
In Nagaland, a tragic rockfall incident on National Highway-29 in the Chumoukedima district resulted in the death of a truck driver when rocks and debris fell onto the vehicle.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall, coupled with thunderstorms and strong winds, from May 29 to June 1 across all northeastern states.
Ongoing rainfall since Thursday has led to waterlogging in Guwahati, Assam's main city, for the second consecutive day on Friday.
Officials noted that significant portions of the Guwahati-Shillong road, a crucial route in the city, remained inundated, leading to severe traffic congestion throughout the commercial center.
Flash floods impacted numerous localities, including Chandmari, Rukminigaon, and Hatigaon, significantly disrupting daily life.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) stated that the IMD has anticipated adverse weather conditions over Assam, including the potential for heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall across the western and southern regions in the next few days.
According to an ASDMA report, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an advisory on Friday, indicating that the deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal, near the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts, moved northward at a speed of 22 km/h and crossed the coasts while maintaining its intensity until the evening of May 31 in the northeastern states.
The MHA also warned of possible exceptionally heavy rainfall in Meghalaya and extremely heavy rainfall with wind speeds reaching 50-60 km/h, gusting up to 70 km/h in Assam and surrounding areas over the next 24 hours, which could worsen waterlogging, impede vehicular movement, and elevate the risk of localized landslides in vulnerable areas.
State and district authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with emergency response systems on high alert, as stated in the advisory.
In light of the adverse weather conditions and the forecast of heavy to very heavy rains, the Guwahati airport authority has urged passengers to check their flight statuses with their airlines and to allow extra time to reach the airport.
The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) has indicated that heavy rainfall will persist in nearly all districts until June 5, with isolated thunderstorms and lightning expected.
This necessitates taking appropriate precautions during this period to mitigate risks associated with lightning strikes and high winds, which could disrupt communication and connectivity.
Due to the anticipated high precipitation in hilly areas, Nagaland's lowland and foothill districts, such as Dimapur, Nuiland, Chumoukedima, Bhandari, Baghty, Tizit, and Tuli, are at risk of inundation, waterlogging, and flash floods, as per a statement from the NSDMA.
Life in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur has also been adversely affected by light to moderate rains, flash floods, and landslides, with reports of significant damage to numerous homes.