In a tragic incident in Mizoram's Aizawl district, ten people died and several others went missing after a stone quarry collapsed amidst heavy rain on Tuesday morning. The collapse occurred around 6 am in an area between Melthum and Hlimen on the southern outskirts of Aizawl town, following the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Remal across the state.
The stone quarry collapse not only claimed lives but also destroyed many nearby houses. The police, who reported the incident, stated that the bodies of the deceased have been recovered. However, numerous individuals are still trapped under the debris, with rescue operations hampered by the incessant rains.
Out of the ten workers who lost their lives, three were identified as non-Mizos. Amid the ongoing search operations, a child was rescued from the site and promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Many other workers, reportedly non-tribals, are feared dead as the rescue efforts continue.
The heavy rains have triggered widespread landslides across the state. Aizawl has been cut off from the rest of the country due to a landslide on National Highway 6 at Hunthar. Various intra-state highways have also been disrupted, exacerbating the challenges faced by the rescue and relief teams.
In response to the severe weather conditions, all schools in the affected areas were shut down, and government employees, except those involved in providing essential services, were instructed to work from home.
The devastating impact of Cyclone Remal, combined with the heavy rains, has created a dire situation in Mizoram, with ongoing efforts to rescue trapped individuals and restore connectivity and safety across the affected regions.
