Seven Territorial Army personnel killed in Manipur landslide, 72 missing
At least eight people were killed and over 70 others went missing after a massive landslide occurred at a railway construction site in Manipur’s Noney district. on Wednesday night.
Eight bodies have been retrieved so far, including those of seven Territorial Army personnel. Around 72 people are feared trapped under the debris, which includes 43 from the Territorial Army.
The massive debris has blocked the Ijei River, creating a reservoir that may innundate low-lying areas.
An advisory issued by Noney deputy commissioner said, “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,” it added.
The advisory also advised travellers to avoid National Highway-37 due to multiple road blockages.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over 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.
“Spoke to CM Shri @NBirenSingh and Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw in the wake of a 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,” Shah tweeted.
The chief minister has called an emergency meeting to assess the situation.
