Mizoram residents were cut off by landslides, but united by compassion

As relentless monsoon rains pounded Mizoram, triggering massive landslides and the collapse of a quarry along the Aizawl-Thenzawl-Lunglei (ATL) road, hundreds of travellers found themselves trapped between villages, unsure of when help would arrive. But what followed was not despair—it was an extraordinary display of humanity.

In Ramlaitui village, over 100 travellers were stranded when landslides blocked the road. Local families, without hesitation, opened their doors. “They divided us in groups of five and took us into their homes,” said Lalnunthara, one of the travellers. “We were given free meals, warmth, and kindness that I’ll never forget.” He said that as a Mizo, he had expected such assistance to be extended to travellers—because that is the way of a people who practise tlawmngaihna (selflessness) in their daily lives.

In Sialsuk, the number of stranded people swelled from 300 to over 600 by June 1. Yet no one was turned away. Guests were distributed among local homes, fed hot meals, and treated with dignity. The Sialsuk Village Council and YMA ensured vegetables were distributed to every home hosting guests.

Among the travellers was Angshuman Choudhury, visiting from Delhi, who found himself stuck between Lunglei and Thenzawl for over 16 hours. “It was terrifying,” he wrote. “But the local YMA unit arranged dinner for all of us—it was heartwarming.”

In Serchhip district, among the hardest-hit areas, more than ten houses collapsed and families were forced to evacuate. But the response was again marked by selflessness. On a Sunday—typically reserved for worship—churches closed their doors. At least five churches called off services, urging members to help those affected by the landslides instead.

One church announced: “As our locality has called for community work to help those affected by the landslide, the morning and afternoon service is canceled.” In a deeply devout society like Mizoram, such a move is rare—and powerful.

Zonuna, a journalist from Serchhip, said he lost count of the number of churches that closed down as notifications were given out across all localities. He said he had never come across such a case where churches were closed down due to disaster-related cases in the town.

Acts of kindness weren’t limited to shelter and meals. In Serchhip, a man named Lalthangliana shared his phone number publicly, offering to transport anyone in medical need to the capital or anywhere else in the state. “If anyone needs to go to Aizawl and has no vehicle, call me. We’re ready to assist,” wrote the owner of two Sumo vehicles.

On Monday morning, in Aizawl’s Zohnuai locality, YMA volunteers wearing raincoats helped seven families evacuate from a building at risk of collapsing. Amid the rain, they loaded furniture and belongings into trucks, ensuring the families reached safety at a nearby YMA hall.

In every corner of the crisis, Mizoram’s people did what they’ve always done in times of adversity—they cared. They made space. They lifted one another.

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