27 dead in India's landslide, search operations continue

In this handout photo released by the Indian Army and taken on July 1, 2022, security forces and disaster relief teams search for survivors and victims after a landslide in Noney district, some 50 Km from Manipur's capital Imphal. (Photo: Indian Army/AFP)

According to All India Radio, the death toll from the big landslide in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur increased to 27 on Saturday.

Thursday, a landslide struck the Tupul yard railway construction camp in the Noney district, where some members of the Territorial Army (TA) were protecting a key railway line building site.

"In Manipur, with six more bodies of army personnel found this morning from the debris of landslides in Noney district, the number of dead has gone up to 27," the broadcaster reported.

The deceased have been identified as TA personnel and civilians working in the vicinity of the railroads.

The search for the missing resumed for a third consecutive day, with a new landslide occurring on Saturday morning but causing minor damage so far.

N Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, termed the landslide the most catastrophic event in the state's history.

Additionally, a Through-Wall Imaging Radar was dispatched to the location to locate employees buried beneath the wreckage.

The landslide has entirely obstructed a river that flows through the districts of Tamenglong and Noney.

Officials reported that the landslide formed a dam-like water body that will likely flood low-lying areas after the rubble is removed.

The local administration has warned residents of low-lying areas, urging them to prepare for evacuation in the event of further precipitation.

Publish : 2022-07-02 16:26:00

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