Cyclone Remal leaves trail of destruction in Northeast: 36 dead, over 10 missing
GUWAHATI: As Cyclone Remal began to weaken, the Northeast states faced devastation marked by heavy rains and landslides.
The calamity claimed the lives of at least 36 individuals, with more than 10 people still missing.
The affected region, encompassing the Northeast states, experienced severe disruptions to road and rail links, bringing daily life to a standstill.
Devastation Across States
Mizoram suffered the most significant impact, reporting 27 fatalities, including a tragic quarry collapse in Aizawl district that claimed 21 lives.
Nagaland recorded four deaths, Assam three, and Meghalaya two.
The relentless downpour, coupled with gusty winds, triggered landslides, uprooted trees, and disrupted essential services such as power and internet connectivity.
Tripura also faced extensive destruction.
Numerous households were damaged, and residents sought refuge in relief camps.
The state experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 km per hour over the past 24 hours.
This intense weather event damaged approximately 470 houses and displaced 750 people, who are now sheltered in 15 relief camps across various districts.
Official Response and Impact
Tripura food and civil supplies minister Sushant Chowdhury, briefing the media in Agartala, highlighted the severity of the situation.
He revealed that Tripura recorded an average rainfall of 215.5 mm over the past day, with Unakoti district receiving the highest rainfall at 252.4 mm.
In response to the crisis, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, ordered the closure of educational institutions across nine districts to ensure the safety of students and faculty during this ongoing emergency.
Weather Forecast and Alerts
The weather forecast for the Northeast states remains grim, with predictions of continued extremely heavy to very heavy rains, thunderstorms, and lightning throughout the week.
An orange alert, indicating “be prepared”, is in effect for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya on Wednesday (May 29), and for Assam and Meghalaya until June 02.