Noney landslide

Imphal, June 30: Six people were killed and at least 20 are still missing after a massive landslide hit the company location of 107 Territorial Army of the Indian Army deployed near Tupul railway station in Manipur’s Noney district, officials said on Thursday.

The incident took place at Tupul yard railway construction camp on Wednesday night.

Rescue operations are currently underway. The state government has mobilized the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), who are working in close coordination with the Army and railway authorities.

A total of 13 people have been rescued so far and the injured are being treated at Noney Army Medical unit.

However, rescue operations are being hampered by fresh landslides and bad weather. A concerted effort is underway to rescue the missing individuals, officials said. The Army helicopters are on standby waiting for the weather to clear.

Local villagers, including one child, as well as six to seven Northeast Frontier Railway staff, are still missing.
Also Read: At least one dead, several missing due to massive landslide in Manipur

Debris from the landslide has blocked the flow of a local river. The accumulated water, if breached, could lead to flooding of the low-lying areas of Noney.

Some people are also feared to be trapped under debris. The danger of flash flooding is also looming large in the nearby villages.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to Manipur CM N Biren Singh and Union Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw about the landslide situation in the state.

Shah said that a team of the National Disaster Response Force had already joined the rescue operations and two more teams were on their way to Tupul.

The Manipur CM also called an emergency meeting to assess the situation of the landslide in Tupul. “Ambulances along with doctors have also been dispatched to assist in the operation,” the chief minister said.