Imphal, July 05: A 200-meter-long landslide near Toupul in the Noney district of Manipur has cut off the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway 37 (NH 37) and a large number of vehicles are stranded on either side of the damaged portion. Officials said that the large landslide had occurred around 10 p.m. on Monday.
The district administration is trying to mobilize rescue and clearance of the massive debris which has blocked the highway. There is so far no report of any casualty.
Officials who fear that there may be more landslides have already alerted the villagers in the nearby small villages.
Excavators and other machinery will be used to clear the debris. The drivers and passengers face problems since they are stranded on the mountain highway with no food or water.
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Meanwhile, recovery operations are going on in full swing on either side of Toupul where a massive landslide had struck on Thursday night. About 15 bodies are yet to be recovered.
Officials said that identification is a problem now as most bodies are decomposed. Minister Awangbou Newmai in charge of disaster and relief says that the operations shall be carried on till all bodies are recovered.
18 persons had been rescued alive. 47 bodies have been so far recovered and 16 are yet to be located. About 80 persons are believed to have been carried down by the landslide.
