Thunderstorm and landslides have claimed eight lives, rendered 11 missing and left 25 others injured in the state capital, police said on Saturday.

Nine houses in Laipuitland locality here were swept away in a massive landslide early this morning, killing eight persons, Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Lallianmawia, who was supervising the rescue work, said.

Eleven persons were missing and 9 others injured in the landslide, he said.

Rescue work was underway with volunteers and policemen searching the debris for bodies and survivors, he said.

Lallianmawia said that six bodies have been recovered and two bodies were being dug out adding that the number of missing persons might rise.

Thunderstorm accompanied by strong squall hit the Mizoram capital last night.

At least 16 people across the city suffered minor injuries in the storm and were given first aid at the Civil Hospital here, the SP said.