Manipur: Another landslide hits near the tragedy site at Noney

On Saturday, another landslide hits near the tragedy site near Tupul Railway station at Manipur's Noney area. Further details are awaited.

Fresh teams were deployed on Saturday morning to augment the efforts in the search.

The mortal remains of 14 Army personnel was sent to their home stations by 2 IAF Aircraft and army helicopters with full military honours. Tribute was paid to the six officials who were among 11 casualties in Noney landslides. They belonged to Territorial Army's infantry 107 battalion

The first landslide hit on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday near the company location of 107 Territorial Army of the Indian Army deployed near Tupul Railway station for protection of the under-construction railway line from Jiribam to Imphal.

Several people lost their lives in a tragic landslide that hit Manipur's Noney area. Chief Minister N Biren, who is constantly monitoring the rescue operations, has called the landslide the worst incident in the history of the north-eastern state.

CM Biren told ANI, "Worst incident in the history of the state. We have lost 81 people's lives of which 18, including the territorial army (personnel) were rescued; around 55 were trapped. It will take 2-3 days to recover all the dead bodies due to the soil."

Over 12 more dead bodies including eight Army personnel and four civilians were recovered during the search operation from the landslide incident site on Friday. The death toll in the landslide rose to 24 on Saturday with 38 people still missing, officials said.

CM Biren has also said that the Centre is giving full cooperation in managing the situation. He said, "The Centre has also sent NDRF and Army personnel to carry out rescue operation. Vehicle movement is affected due to moisture in the soil causing the delay. The rescue operation will take 2-3 more days."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, also reviewed the landslide situation that is caused due to continuous heavy rainfall in the state. He assured his full support and said, "Spoke to Manipur CM Biren and reviewed the situation due to a tragic landslide. Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety of all those affected. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon."