Aizawl: Amid relentless rainfall and widespread landslides, Mizoram is grappling with a severe disruption in water supply, prompting the state government to urge residents to harvest rainwater and use available resources judiciously. The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has warned that Aizawl, the state capital, may face an acute water shortage due to flooding and high turbidity in the Tlawng river, its main water source.
The impact of the extreme weather has been severe, with the Kolasib district reporting extensive damage to gravity pipelines and monoblock systems, affecting water distribution in five towns. The Tuivawl river, which supplies water to Khawzawl district, has been contaminated to such an extent that treatment plants can no longer purify the water effectively. Residents across affected districts have been advised to use water cautiously and make maximum use of rainwater wherever possible.
Water infrastructure has also taken a hit in Hnahthial district, where the flooding of the Tuichang river has damaged key components such as the raw water pump and control panels, cutting off both water and power supply. Mamit and Siaha districts have issued similar advisories following mechanical damage and flooding that have hampered their own water supply systems.
According to data from the State Emergency Operation Centre of the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department, Mizoram has witnessed landslides or mudslides at 769 locations since the rains began. A total of 452 families have been evacuated—338 due to landslide threats and 114 because of flooding. At least 272 homes have been either damaged or destroyed.
Tragically, the disaster has claimed five lives so far, including three Myanmar refugees. With continuous rainfall expected and infrastructure already strained, the state government is intensifying efforts to manage the crisis while urging public cooperation to conserve water and remain alert to further weather-related risks.
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