Alarm sounded in CCpur
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, May 16 2013: The district administration Churachandpur has today sounded an alert as the tropical cyclone Mahasen moved closer to the region, announcing the closure of all educational institutions and offices on Friday besides instructing the police, district officials and medical practitioners to be prepared for any eventuality.

An order issued by the Chairman District Disaster Management Authority, Maniram Sharma today instructed the Superintendent of Police to keep on stand-by VDF personnel who were trained by the civil defence team.

It also instructed all SDOs, BDOs to remain alert and officials of the department to be prepared to tackle any eventuality.

The CHCs, PHSCs and other medical establishments have been alerted as well.

The general public have been advised to remain in-door.

Avoid going to the fields and jhums, advised the order issued by the disaster management authority.

Addressing the press later today at his residence, Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing called for the closure of all schools at least for two days.

He also appealed to all the CSOs and philanthropic organizations to be on alert and be prepared with their services if and when needed.

'The phone lines may be jammed and calling the authorities may not be possible if the cyclone is severe, however alarms may be sound by ringing the Church bells or electric poles.

If anyone happens to hear these alarms it is my appeal that we spared nothing to help those who are in need,' he said in his appeal to the public.

The minister added, 'we are Christians and we know that our prayers can move mountains.

So let us pray' .

As thick-dark clouds that dwarf the sky emanate continuous but light showers throughout the day today, rumors spread like wild-fire raising anxiety among the common populace.

There were talks on cyclone hitting Lunglei and Champhai area in Mizoram by evening but when The Sangai Express contacted those areas through some mutual friends, it is learnt that no panic was witness or felt in the area by the time of filing this report.

The event has raised the need for the state to have an effective weather station which can provide real time information on the events that was unfolding in situations such as today.

The public has to rely on information provided by TV channels from the neighbouring state of Mizoram or the national and international TV channels to get updates.

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