The Mizoram government on Monday sounded alert after three successive earthquakes measuring between 4.6 and 5.3 on the Richter scale hit the State in five days causing extensive damage to buildings and roads across the State.

Quoting regional meteorological centre in Guwahati, an official release issued by the state meteorological centre of directorate of science and technology said the State could witness heavy rain or very heavy rain for the next five days between Monday and Saturday.

The release said there is potential of landslides and mudslides as earthquakes are normally accompanied by heavy rain.

Also read: Extensive damage across Mizoram after earthquake

“People, especially in landslide prone areas, are asked to be alert and take precaution to avert casualties,” the release said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah on Monday assured chief minister Zoramthanga of all help after the State was struck by earthquakes.

Zoramthanga thanked both the Prime Minister and home minister for assuring all helps to deal with the natural calamities at a time the state is fighting against the rising spread of coronavirus.

Champhai district deputy commissioner Maria C T Zuali said two consecutive earthquakes hit Champhai and Saitual districts within a span of not more than 12 hours between Sunday and Monday causing damage to houses and roads in several places.

Another medium-intensity quake pegged at a magnitude of 4.6 also rocked the state on June 18.

She said that an earthquake measuring about 5.1 magnitudes occurred in Saitaul district at 4:16 pm on Sunday and another 5.3 hit Champhai district on Monday at 4:11 am.

According to Maria, at least 36 houses, including two church buildings and government buildings, have been partially damaged at Zokhawthar in Champhai district on the Mizoram-Myanmar border.

More than 30 structures, including private buildings, government facilities and 2 church buildings were also damaged in at least 7 villages within Khawbung rural development block in Champhai district according the latest report on Monday evening, she said

She said that the figure of damage is yet to be ascertained as assessment is being underway.