Aizawl, Nov. 23: The much-dreaded mautam (famine) has already hit the northeastern parts of Mizoram. The Zoramthanga government is also being charged with diversion of Bamboo Flowering and Famine Combat Scheme (Baffacos)funds.

“At least 122 families in the region have been left with no crops to harvest this year,” a source in Champhai said.

As many as 1,534 farmers from nine villages in Kawlhulh agriculture circle under Champhai district have lost 29 per cent of their expected annual crop as a result of rodent attacks, the source said. In Ngopa, also under Champhai district, farmers from 10 villages have lost 25 per cent of their annual income from crops.

Teams sent out by the agriculture department to verify the facts have confirmed the reports.

A report submitted to the department said paddy in six villages under Ngopa agriculture circle have been totally destroyed by rodents. Rodenticides have been found to be very effective in controlling the rodent population in villages under Lunglei district, agriculture officials said.

The cyclic bamboo flowering, locally referred to as mautam, occurs in every 48 to 50 years. The last mautam had occurred in 1958, which was followed by a severe famine in the following years.

The Zoramthanga government is making “every possible effort” to prevent another famine following the mautam, an official said.