1 died, several missing after massive landslide in Manipur

|HT|

At least one person died and several others are missing after a massive landslide obstructed the flow of a river in Manipur’s Noney district on Thursday. Officials said the death toll is likely to increase as several people are still missing and the search operation is on.

The incident took place around Wednesday midnight when the landslide struck near the Tupul yard railway construction camp located near Makhuam area, about 14 north east of Noney police station. The identity of the deceased person whose body was recovered on Thursday morning is yet to be identified, a police official said.

The Ijai river flowing through Tamenglong and Noney districts has been obstructed by the debris that has created a dam-like storage condition which, if breached, will wreak havoc to the low-lying areas of Noney district, an advisory notice by deputy commisioner of Noney stated. “Whoever can evacuate are advised to evacuate,” says the advisory notice.

Travellers are also advised to avoid the NH 37(Imphal-jiri highway).

Meanwhile, rescue operations by the Indian Army and Assam Rifles is in progress.

As on 5:30am, 13 individuals have been rescued, the PRO Defence Wing said.

The injured are being treated at Noney Army Medical unit. Evacuation of the critically injured personnel is in progress.

“Rescue operations are being hampered by fresh landslides and bad weather; however, a concerted effort is underway to rescue the missing individuals,” the message said.

”The Army helicopters are on standby waiting for the weather to clear”, it added.

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