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Dimapur, July 1 (EMN): The death toll due to a massive landslide at a railway construction site in Manipur's Noney district rose to 10 on Friday as two more bodies were recovered from the debris.
The incident took place at Tupul yard railway construction camp on Wednesday night.
10 columns have been pressed into the search operation, a defence release stated.
“Synergised and joint operational task force is coordinating the efforts to remove the mud and boulders. A thorough wall radar is also being inducted by air to detect the presence of personnel buried in the debris. A search and rescue dog is also being inducted,” the statement said.
It added that GOC in C Eastern Command, Lt. Gen. RP Kalita met the six injured Territorial Army personnel who were initially evacuated to Liemakong Military Hospital on June 30 and are now being provided medical aid at the Assam Rifles Hospital at Mantripukhri.
So far, 13 Territorial Army personnel and five civilians have been rescued, while mortal remains of nine Territorial Army personnel and one civilian have been recovered. Search for missing personnel will continue throughout the day, it stated.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh had announced an ex-gratia of INR 5 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and INR 50,000 each for those injured.
Governor La Ganesan condoled the deaths and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The massive debris has blocked the Ijei River, creating a reservoir that may inundate low-lying areas.
"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... an advisory issued by the deputy commissioner said on Thursday.
"... 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.
It also advised travellers to avoid National Highway-37 due to multiple road blockages.