AIZAWL: Mizoram has requested Rs 237.6 crore in financial assistance from the Centre to aid in the rehabilitation efforts and repair the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Remal and subsequent landslides and rains in May.
State Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister K Sapdanga, on Sunday, confirmed the request, highlighting the devastation inflicted across the region.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma, currently in Delhi, submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah outlining the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Remal on Mizoram’s infrastructure and communities.
The memorandum highlighted the urgent need for financial aid to support recovery efforts.
According to Sapdanga, Cyclone Remal and its aftermath claimed the lives of 34 individuals and caused widespread destruction to both public and private properties.
The requested amount aligns with assessments conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), reflecting the minimum necessary funds to address immediate recovery needs.
The deadliest effects of Cyclone Remal were felt on May 28, when landslides triggered by heavy rainfall swept away homes in multiple areas of the state capital, Aizawl.
During a recent meeting in Aizawl, Minister Sapdanga briefed an Inter-Ministerial team comprising officials from various Union Ministries and state departments.
The team, led by MHA joint secretary Abhijit, conducted on-site assessments to ascertain the full extent of damage caused by the cyclone.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Sapdanga expressed gratitude for the team’s visit and highlighted the broader impact of Cyclone Remal on Mizoram’s critical infrastructure, including roads, water supply systems, electricity networks, and ongoing development projects.
State officials from departments including Disaster Management, Public Works, Power, Public Health Engineering, Agriculture, and Horticulture presented a comprehensive assessment of the cyclone’s impact during the meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Renu Sharma.
As Mizoram awaits a response from the central government, efforts continue to focus on restoring essential services and rebuilding communities affected by Cyclone Remal.
