Flood in Northeast India Affects Fuel and Food Grain Supply

Flood and landslides in northeast India's Assam and Meghalaya have hampered food and fuel supplies to Mizoram, according to officials on May 19.

Officials argued that there was no reason to be alarmed because the Mizoram government was attempting to import products from neighboring states. Long queues of cars have formed at several filling stations in various parts of the state since May 18.

Authorities in Assam, India's north-eastern state, said on May 18 that more than half a million people have evacuated their homes to avoid huge floods caused by pre-monsoon rains, which have killed seven people.

Over the preceding three days, the Brahmaputra broke its banks in Assam, inundating around 1,500 settlements. On May 18, heavy rains drenched most of the hilly state, and more rain is forecast for the next two days.

Mizoram's government implemented rationing on the purchase of gasoline for two-wheelers and light automobiles on May 16. Two-wheelers were limited to five litres, while light motor vehicles were limited to 10 litres. Ramdinliani, the state's director of food, civil supplies, and consumer affairs, told PTI that controls on the sale of gasoline were put in place to guarantee equal distribution, and that filing stations were not dry at this critical time.

People should not be concerned about the situation, she added, and panic purchasing should be avoided because oil supplies are still flowing in from Assam, and the state administration is searching for another way to bring in more supplies.

Due to a shortage of gasoline in Silchar, the government has begun transporting fuel from Guwahati, according to the official. She stated that the state currently has enough diesel on hand.

According to the official, the government is also working hard to prevent illegal gasoline sales on the black market.

In terms of food grains, Ramdinliani stated that the state currently has sufficient rice storage.

She stated that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will carry grains by road because the railway route between Assam and Mizoram has been destroyed due to massive landslides.

Surface connectivity to Assam's Barak Valley and Dima Hasao region, as well as to the neighbouring states of Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur, were cut off after heavy rains caused landslides and swept away roads and railway lines in a number of areas throughout Assam and Meghalaya.

Landslides in Assam's Dima Hasao district affected road and rail connectivity in various areas. Road connectivity between Barak Valley and Mizoram was also cut off due to landslides in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills area.