Torrential rains and consequent floods have killed two people and destroyed about 200 acres of cultivable land in Thantlang Township, Chin state. It has affected 25 land owner families in Baibu village on Zophei valley in Thantlang Township.

“Some farms were completely destroyed by flood waters. We had started harvesting over the past two days but we could not continue,” said a local.

In Chin state harvesting begins in October, but this time floods destroyed many rice fields before harvesting. Many people will face severe hardship in terms of livelihood in a state, which is already reeling from the effects of famine.

“Pu Dalluai’s land has been totally destroyed. The rice has gone and the soil has been damaged,” said an elder in Baibu village.

The torrential rains and floods swept away some bridges in Thantlang Township and villagers are unable go to other villages.

The floods killed two wood cutters, who were heads of families. They were identified as Pu Pabawi and Pu Yatu from Rikhan village in Matupi Township, Chin state.

“Landslides swept the two into the river. One person survived by holding onto a branch of a tree,” said a local.
In Saiha district in Mizoram northeast state of India one person died on October 2.

A fire broke out in Rikhan village last summer and villagers are still struggling to eke out a living with help from social welfare organizations.

Similarly, landslides in Hakha town in Chin state, because of heavy rains, led to a number of houses collapsing.