Aizawl: Mizoram’s disaster management and rehabilitation department on Wednesday issued an advisory to the public and deputy commissioners of all 11 districts, warning of possible natural disasters across the state due to extreme weather conditions.The department said all deputy commissioners had been asked to remain on high alert and activate their district emergency operation centres immediately amid recent hailstorms, prevailing low-pressure conditions and forecasts of continued unstable weather over Mizoram and the wider Northeast.The advisory said light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds were likely across the northeast from March 13 to 19, with wind speeds of 30 to 50 kmph expected in several areas. It warned that the current weather system could trigger intermittent rain, thunderstorms and hailstorms at isolated to scattered locations in Mizoram in the coming days.“Further, recent warnings issued by the meteorological authorities indicate the likelihood of moderate rainfall (5–15 mm/hr), thunderstorms and gusty winds in certain districts, which may lead to localized waterlogging, slippery road conditions, traffic disruption and potential damage to vulnerable structures and standing crops,” it said.District administrations have been directed to keep all relevant line departments on alert and take preventive steps, including monitoring vulnerable locations, protecting infrastructure and crops, and ensuring response systems are ready.The department also called for public advisories to be issued through appropriate channels so residents remain informed and take precautions during adverse weather.It said district authorities should closely track weather bulletins, forecasts and warnings from the Met dept and respond according to the evolving situation. DCs were asked to give top priority to preparedness, damage assessment and timely relief measures to reduce the impact of any further hailstorm or thunderstorm events.“Wherever damage has occurred, necessary relief measures may be extended to affected persons strictly in accordance with the prevailing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, under due intimation to DM&R,” the advisory added.In Kolasib district, which borders Assam, a hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds caused widespread damage on Saturday, according to delayed reports received on Wednesday.District administration officials said around 300 homes were completely, severely or partially damaged.Eyewitnesses said hailstones that fell in Bairabi town were as large as eggs.
