Nature's fury has claimed ten lives in Mizoram and rendered many homeless in the entire Northeast.

People are losing their homes, their possessions and all they hold dear, as a sudden natural occurrence the likes of which has not been seen for over half-a-century sweeps the Northeast.

In a statewide tragedy reminiscent of a similar natural disaster which occurred in Uttarakhand in the not-so-distant past, conditions are unbelievably bad for the people of the region.

The catastrophe in the form of flash floods caused by the onset of the monsoon has left thousands homeless.

Approximately 350 houses have been completely submerged by the floods and 8 people have been pronounced dead, with that number expected to rise.

The rains have caused extensive damage in many districts across the state, with the incessant rain being the cause of landslides and mudslides. This is the largest recorded flooding of the region's Tlawng River in the last 50 years.

In the aftermath of a landslide in Saron Veng, Aizwal, the President of a local NGO, Young Mizo Association, Dr. C Lalchandanna commented, "The main cause of the landslide could be due to over saturation of the soil caused by improper drainage system. Over a hundred families from 96 houses have been evacuated in the area as the grounds are no longer stable. These people have been taken to families and neighboring houses and have also been shifted to community halls and church halls where YMA provided food".

In Tlabung, which falls under the Lunglei District, more than 80 families have been evacuated from their homes, and close to 70 houses have been submerged by the floods, while in Serhmun, over a hundred houses have been swept away by the floods. The people have been shifted to friends' and families' homes and their belongings are being kept in community and church halls.

The YMA also provided food for the people who have evacuated from their homes.

Phairuakngkai, which also lies in the Lunglei district, recorded 4 deaths due to the floods and landslides - two bodies have been recovered so far but two are still missing.

Many other areas have also reported collapsed bridges and roads, which has brought traffic to a complete halt. Many water pipelines in the area have also been severely damaged.

In Vairengte, which lies in the Kolasib district, intense rain and flash floods have submerged over 75 houses.

The flash floods have also completely blocked the road between Aizawl and Champhai, and have caused the 30 feet collapse of Tuirial Airfield Road (National Highway 54).

The site of the calamity is now unstable and immediate help was offered from YMA volunteers and the local people who are rescuing people from the spot of the landslide.

In Hunthar in Aizawl the landslide has also partially blocked Lengpui Airport road on NH54 causing severe traffic congestion.

Intense flooding leaves thousands stranded in Manipur

Hundreds of houses are being swept away by sporadic rainfall in various parts of Manipur. Rivers are flowing above danger mark thus sweeping away anything and everything on the embankments.

Houses are collapsing or being swept away by the rain in Kangpokpi district of Manipur. The fury of nature has not yet subsided. The entire valley area has been terribly affected by the rains and continues to be a victim of intense flooding.

Sirens wail in the capital city of Imphal as the water levels in Nambul and Imphal River cross the danger mark. The embankments have managed to somewhat save the city of Imphal from the deteriorating weather conditions of the north east, but locals fear that if the rain keeps falling at its present pace, even that will not be enough to stop a calamity on an even larger scale.

While village settlements near the two major rivers of Imphal have suffered severely from flooding, reports say that the area is still experiencing a slight drizzle.

At least 400 houses have been inundated at Kairang Muslim Konjin Leikai as the Imphal River bank breached by about 12 metres around 1.30 am after midnight yesterday. Many residents spent the night on the streets as their houses were completely inundated. Some of the residents of the affected houses are taking shelter at immediate relief camps in the area.

Chief Minister N. Biren along with IFCD Minister Letpao Haokip and Parliamentary Secretary, Home, L. Susindro took stock of the situation there and took up immediate steps to ease the difficulty of the residents.

With inputs from Lal Hmingmawia in Mizoram and Jit Ningomba in Manipur