Three houses collapse amid torrential rains in Mizoram's Lawngtlai, several feared trapped

Three residential houses collapsed on Friday May 30 night in the Bazar Veng and Chandmary Veng localities of Lawngtlai town in southern Mizoram, following incessant and intense rainfall in the region. Preliminary reports indicate that between five to seven individuals are feared trapped beneath the debris, with rescue operations currently underway.

The area, which had previously shown signs of geological instability since a major ground fissure was first reported in 1995, witnessed fresh structural collapses likely triggered by soil saturation and waterlogging due to heavy downpours. The torrential rain has also caused widespread power outages and has disrupted mobile and internet connectivity across parts of Lawngtlai district, hampering communication and rescue logistics.

Responding swiftly to the incident, local units of the Young Lai Association, along with personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have launched coordinated rescue efforts. As of now, no fatalities have been officially confirmed, although unverified sources suggest the possibility of casualties.

The district administration has appealed to residents in vulnerable zones to evacuate to safer areas and avoid unnecessary movement, as rain continues to lash the region. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have urged the public to remain calm and await verified updates.

Efforts are ongoing to restore basic services and ascertain the status of those trapped. Further details are awaited as rescue teams intensify operations under difficult weather conditions.