IMD forecasts heavy rainfall in Mizoram on Thursday, schools to remain closed

Aizawl, May 28 (PTI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across Mizoram on Thursday.

A notice issued by the state's Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department requested people to remain alert and contact the emergency operation centres in their respective deputy commissioner offices, district emergency operation centres, or the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) if needed.

Residents can reach out through toll-free numbers 1077, 1070/0389-2342520, and the all-purpose emergency number 112, it added.

In view of the IMD forecast, the government ordered that all schools across the state remain closed on Thursday.

A notification issued by the state's School Education Department late on Wednesday said that as per the weather forecast and warning issued by the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department and IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati and the Meteorological Centre in Aizawl, there is a likelihood of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds on Thursday.

It said that all schools across the state will remain closed on Thursday as a precautionary measure to avoid any potential disaster.

The directive was issued following consultation with the state Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department, the notification said.

More than 30 people were killed in the Aizawl region and other parts of the state in landslides triggered by heavy rain in May last year. PTI CORR MNB ACD