Aizawl, Nov 6: Farming communities in Mizoram are grappling with a severe rodent outbreak triggered by the flowering of bamboo, which has damaged paddy, soybean, and other crops across the state.

The Mizoram Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, in a report released on October 30, confirmed rodent infestations in 163 villages across all 11 districts, affecting nearly 7.6 lakh hectares of farmland. Around 2.3 lakh hectares have suffered total crop loss.

Mamte and nearby villages in Lunglei district are among the worst affected. Local farmers reported that rats began infesting paddy fields in late September. Lalhmangaihchhunga, an agriculture officer in Lunglei, said, “The situation is grim. Most farmers in Maite village have lost their annual harvests.”

Chungtea, a farmer from Mamte, added that his three-hectare sticky rice crop was completely destroyed. “I caught more than 20 rats in one night using 30 traps. Over 50 families here have lost all crops, including paddy, soybean, and vegetables,” he said.

Experts have warned that the outbreak could signal the onset of a ‘Thingtam’ a famine linked to the flowering of the Bambusa tulda species, locally called ‘rawthing’. Such events occur roughly every 48 years and were last recorded in 1977, when bamboo seed proliferation led to a massive rodent surge and widespread crop losses.

The department noted that other crops, including maize, mustard, lentils, ginger, turmeric, and leafy vegetables, have also been affected. Relief measures are underway, with 186.67 quintals of rice seeds being distributed for replanting and large-scale rodenticide campaigns being conducted.

Agriculture scientist Dr. James Lalsiamliana, who studied the 2006 bamboo flowering, said the outbreak has revived fears of famine. “Older villagers recall the 1966 famine in the Mizo Hills. The present rodent explosion has reignited those fears,” he said.

Mizoram has previously faced major famine cycles Mautam and Thingtam both linked to bamboo flowering and subsequent rodent infestations. The most severe famine between 1959 and 1960 led to political unrest and the formation of the Mizo National Famine Front, which later became the Mizo National Front, culminating in the 1986 Mizo Peace Accord.