manipur landslide: Dozens feared dead in massive landslides in western Manipur’s Noney district

Dozens of people are feared dead in a massive landslides in western Manipur’s Noney district on Thursday.

Landslides have obstructed the flow of the Ijai river creating a dam-like storage.

Noney district Deputy Commissioner Haulianlal Guite in an advisory said that due to the unprecedented colossal landslide at Tupul Yard Railway construction camp casualties reported and dozens buried alive.

The flow of the Ijei river has also been obstructed by the debris, creating a dam-like storage condition.

Union Home minister Amit Shah, “Spoke to CM Shri @NBirenSingh and Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw in the wake of the landslide near the Tupul railway station in Manipur. Rescue operations are in full swing. A team of NDRF has already reached the spot and joined the rescue operations. 2 more teams are on their way to Tupul”.

The district administration advisory stated, “If the situation further deteriorated it would wreak havoc to the low lying areas of Noney District headquarters and as the condition is still developing and the future is unknown, the general public is hereby advised to take their own precautions, and especially ensure children do not come out near the river”, the Deputy Commissioner said.

District administration in coordination with various national and state disaster agencies is undertaking search and rescue, relief operations work.

The advisory said that the public are further advised to stay alert and be prepared for any assistance in case rainy conditions deteriorate further.

Travellers are also advised to avoid travelling along the National Highway-37 due to multiple road blockages due to the landslides triggered by incessant monsoon rain during the past few days.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Mohit Vaishnava said that the Indian Army on Thursday rescued 13 Territorial Army personnel, who were trapped following the massive landslides near Tupul railway station in Noney district

The Territorial Army under the Indian Army deployed near Tupul railway station in Noney district to provide security to the under construction railway line from Jiribam to state capital Imphal.

The injured Territorial Army jawans are being medically treated at Noney Army Medical unit.

The Army helicopters are on standby waiting for the weather to clear, Lt Col Vaishnava said.

Manipur chief minister, N Biren Singh tweeted, “Called an emergency meeting to assess the situation of the landslide in Tupul today. The search and rescue operation is already underway. Let’s keep them in our prayers today. Ambulances along with doctors have also been dispatched to assist in the operation.”