All the eight Northeastern State Governments sounded
alerts after heavy rain occurred due to formation of a deep depression over the
Bay of Bengal and a cyclonic storm on Friday.
Mood of Meghalaya people was dampened on the first
day of Cherry Blossom Festival due to the bad weather and the event was
cancelled, while States such as Mizoram, Tripura and Assam witnessed rainfall
of varied intensity.
Rain along with chilly winds has been witnessed by the
States since the morning of Friday, and the same is likely to continue on
Saturday, according to the India Meteorological Department or IMD.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh was scheduled to
inaugurate the 3rd edition of the festival at Madan Kurkalang in Ri-Bhoi
district.
The organisers stated the Day-1 ticket holders will get
complimentary access on any one of the remaining two days of the festival,
while those holding season passes will receive a refund for the Friday show.
Heavy rain battered Mizoram’s capital Aizawl and other
parts of the State affecting normal life on Friday. The streets of Aizawl wore
a deserted look as people stayed indoors and only a few vehicles were seen on
roads.
District administrations and disaster management
authorities of Mizoram in notices urged people to be alert and take
precautionary steps against any eventuality that can be caused due to the rain.
PTI
