19 dead, 12,000 affected as rain triggers floods, landslides across Northeast:

Aizawl/ Silchar/ Itanagar/ Imphal/ Agartala: At least 19 people have been killed, dozens feared trapped, and over 12,000 affected as relentless rainfall triggered a series of deadly landslides, flash floods, and widespread devastation across the northeastern states of India over the past three days. Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh have been the worst hit, with roads washed away, homes destroyed, and thousands rendered homeless. While rescue operations are underway across multiple locations, continuous heavy rain and infrastructure damage have severely hampered efforts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for several northeastern states, warning of more downpours in the coming days.

At least eight people are feared trapped after a massive landslide, triggered by relentless rainfall, brought down three buildings in Lawngtlai town in southern Mizoram late Friday night, an officer from the Lawngtlai deputy commissioner’s office said.

Rescue efforts, hampered by continuous rain and limited equipment, are underway, with two injured individuals pulled from the debris so far. The 3rd Battalion of the Indian Reserve Police, stationed in the Thingkah village near Lawngtlai, is en route to assist in the rescue efforts.

The landslide struck Chanmary, the commercial hub of Lawngtlai, where the collapsed buildings served both residential and commercial purposes. One floor reportedly housed a hotel sheltering Myanmarese refugees.

Cries for help were reportedly heard from beneath the rubble. The local police said that despite ongoing rescue efforts led by the Young Lai Association (YLA), heavy rainfall continues to hamper debris clearance. “There was a loud rumble just before the landslide, and about 15 persons from the hotel managed to escape in time. With limited rescue equipment and machinery, it’s been incredibly challenging to remove the debris. But our volunteers, in coordination with the police, are doing their best to reach those trapped,” YLA leader in Lawngtlai Elvis Lalthangzuala said .