One more Noney landslide: Manipur's death toll rises to 25

Another landslide hit near the tragedy site in Manipur’s Noney, the Manipur Mountaineering and Tracking Association informed on Saturday (July 2). Further details on the incident are still awaited, reports ANI.

Meanwhile, five more bodies were found under the debris at the landslide-hit railway construction site in Manipur’s Noney district on Saturday (July 2). This takes the death toll to 25, said officials. Thirty-eight people are still missing and more teams have been brought in to augment the search and rescue operations, they said.

Also Read: Landslide in Manipur’s Noney district leaves 10 dead, several missing

Manipur Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, in a tweet at 12:27 pm today (July 2), said: “The situation in the landslide affected area of Tupul is still serious. Due to rainfall in the morning, we are expecting the bad weather to persist. So far, 18 injured person and 25 deceased have been recovered. 38 persons are still missing.” The CM also shared a video of the landslide hit site on his Twitter handle.

According to official information, debris from the landslide, has blocked the Ijai river, resulting in the formation on a dam-like storage which can threaten the life of people living near the river. However, earth-movers have been brought in to remove the debris and create a channel to allow the flow of water, added the officials.

The third day search and rescue operations began at 5 am. Medical doctors have also been deployed at the site to aid the rescued individuals.

Also Read: Seven dead, 50 missing in Manipur landslide

Army, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, SDRF and NDRF are continuing the search operations at the site, a defence spokesperson in Guwahati said. “Through Wall Radar is being successfully used, and a search and rescue dog is being employed to assist. So far, 13 Territorial Army personnel and five civilians have been safely rescued,” he said, according to a report by PTI.

“Search for 12 missing Territorial Army personnel and 26 civilians continues,” the defence spokesperson said. The bodies of 14 personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, were sent to their hometowns by two IAF aircrafts and an Army helicopter, he said. The body of one personnel was sent to Kangpokpi district in Manipur by road. Full military honors were given to the deceased personnel at Imphal before sending the bodies to their destinations, the spokesperson further added.

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The landslide occurred on Wednesday (June 29) after continuous rains in the region. It damaged under-construction buildings and the Tupul railway station, also hit the Territorial Army camp. Since then, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army and the central and state disaster forces have intensified their search operations to find and rescue those stuck under the debris. Operations have been going on since last two days from early morning to late night.

Additional Chief Secretary of Manipur, MH. Khan, has been camping at Noney district headquarters to supervise the district administration on relief, rescue and search operations.

Manipur CM, visited the accident site on Friday (July 1). He has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each for the family of those who died in the landslide and of Rs. 50,000 for those injured by it.

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