Zoologists to Assess Rodent Outbreak in Mizoram linked to the flowering of bamboo

PTI, AIZAWL, SEP 26, 2025 :  Teams of zoologists from Pachhunga University College (PUC) in Aizawl will study and assess the current outbreak of rodents, sources in PUC said. Led by Prof. Lalramliana, two teams from the Zoology Department of PUC set out on Thursday to visit the affected villages, while one more team departed on Friday, the sources added.

The teams will examine and identify the species of rodents and assess whether they have the potential to spread scrub typhus. According to the findings of experts from PUC and researchers from other countries, rodents carry and spread several diseases. It has been confirmed that scrub typhus is largely spread by rats or rodents in Mizoram.

Rodent infestations have been reported in at least three districts of Mizoram, affecting more than 800 jhum farmers. Lalrindiki, Deputy Director (Plant Protection) of the State Agriculture Department, stated that the rodent outbreak is linked to the flowering of a particular bamboo species called Bambusa tulda (rawthing), locally known as 'Thingtam.' This phenomenon, which occurs every 46 years, is due to happen in 2025.

The rodent infestation has been reported from 45 villages in Mamit district, two villages in Lunglei district, and one village in Saitual district, she said. Lalrindiki further mentioned that 800 jhum farmers, who primarily grow rice and soybeans, have been affected by the rodent attacks. Of the 2,500 hectares of land under jhum cultivation, about 158 hectares have so far been infested.

Mamit district, which borders Tripura and Bangladesh, is the worst affected, with 769 farmers from 45 villages facing the attacks. She added that the agriculture department has supplied rodenticides and plant protection chemicals to farmers free of cost, and teams from the department have been dispatched to the affected villages to guide farmers and village council leaders on how to use them.

Awareness campaigns on mass poisoning of rodents are being carried out, and the department is closely monitoring the situation, she said.

'Thingtam,' which recurs in a 46-year cycle, last occurred in Mizoram in 1977. The state had reported the last rodent outbreak in 2022, during which at least nine districts were affected. Mizoram also experienced a famine-like situation in 2007 due to the flowering of Melocanna baccifera. However, no fatalities were reported, thanks to timely financial assistance from the Centre and massive preparations by the state government.

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Rodent Outbreak Hits 15 Villages in Mamit District, Mizoram

Assam Tribune, 22 Sept 2025 : A sudden rodent outbreak has struck 15 villages in north-western Mizoram's Mamit district, a border region adjoining Bangladesh and Tripura. Officials have warned that the invasion is linked to the cyclical ‘Thingtam’ famine phenomenon, triggered by the mass flowering of rawthing bamboo (Bambusa tulda), which leads to a population explosion of rats.

District Agriculture Officer (DAO) Ngurrinsanga Sailo confirmed on Sunday that villages including Phuldungsei, Kawnmawi, Lallen, Saithah, Rulpuihlim, Khawrihnim, Reiek, Lungphun, Kanghmun, South Sabual, Hmunpui, Pukzing, West Phaileng, Parvatui, and Pukzing Vengthar have all reported fresh outbreaks. "Teams of agriculture officials have been dispatched to guide farmers and village council leaders on the use of rodenticides," Sailo said over the phone from Mamit, adding, "Wherever outbreaks are reported, we are distributing rodenticides to farmers as quickly as possible."

Due to manpower shortages at the district office, Sailo explained that consignments of rodenticide have also been sent directly to village council leaders in remote areas, along with detailed instructions on safe and effective use.

The ongoing monsoon rains have exacerbated the crisis, spurring rampant weed growth in jhum (shifting cultivation) fields. The thick undergrowth has hindered field clearing, leaving paddy crops highly vulnerable to rodent attacks, Sailo said.

The Mamit outbreak follows reports from south Mizoram’s Lunglei district, where swarms of rats have devastated paddy and soybean fields in Mamte and Lungrang South villages. Agricultural scientists have long cautioned that the mass flowering of bamboo species, locally known as 'rawthing,' triggers rat infestations that culminate in ‘Thingtam’ — a famine-like situation when rodents sweep through ripening crops.

With fresh outbreaks emerging from both northern and southern Mizoram, officials now fear severe crop losses unless the rodent menace is contained quickly.