Weather woes: People holding umbrellas as they wait for transport outside a closed shop during a heavy rain in Kochi, southern Kerala state. — AP
Torrential rain brought by cyclone Remal caused a collapse in a stone quarry in the remote northeastern state of Mizoram, killing at least 10 people, while harsh weather hampers efforts to rescue those trapped, authorities said.
Weather authorities yesterday said the powerful cyclone had weakened into a depression after devastating regional coastlines the previous day, killing at least 16 and cutting power to millions in parts of eastern India and neighbouring Bangladesh.
Bitter weather was holding up rescue efforts in Melthum, the site of the quarry outside the state capital of Aizawl, a state disaster management official said.
“There have been incessant rains in the wake of cyclone Remal, which led to the quarry collapse,” the official said speaking on condition of anonymity.
There were no immediate details of the number trapped.
The heavy rain in Mizoram also unleashed landslides in the region. Authorities in the state of West Bengal were working to restore electricity lines in the worst-affected areas, after Remal stripped power lines and uprooted trees. — Reuters
