IMPHAL:
A massive landslide occurred at a railway construction site in Manipur’s Noney district on June 30 in which at least 8 people were killed and 72 others feared trapped under the debris.
Out of the 8 recovered bodies, 7 were of Territorial Army personnel. Bad weather and fresh landslides are affecting the rescue operations.
“13 people have been rescued and are being treated at the Noney Army Medical unit. Evacuation of the critically injured persons is in progress. Rescue operations by the Indian Army and Assam Rifles are underway,” the Deputy Commissioner(DC) of Noney district Haulianlal Guite said.
The DC added that the landslide also created a dam-like storage situation as the incident obstructed the course of the Ijei river, which flows through Tamenglong and Noney districts. He issued an advisory warning people, specially children, against travelling through NH 37 highway due to road blockages at multiple locations.
“Due to the unfortunate landslide… where casualties are being reported and dozens buried alive, the flow of the Ijei River has also been obstructed by the debris, creating a dam-like storage condition, which if breached will wreak havoc to the low-lying areas of Noney district headquarters. 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. Whoever can evacuate are also advised to evacuate,” the advisory read.
Because of incessant rain the hillock adjacent to the Tupul station yard gave way and came down on the under-construction Tupul station building on June 30 morning.
Soon after the incident, rescue teams from NDRF, SDRF and railways were rushed to the site. Senior railway officials, available engineers and equipment at the construction site have been pressed into action.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the incident.
Shah said a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has reached the landslide site while two more teams are on their way.
The chief minister tweeted that he has called an emergency meeting to assess the situation.
“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,” Singh tweeted.
He has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those injured.
Governor La Ganesan and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also offered their condolences.