Manipur landslide death toll rises to 29, dozens missing

Even as the search and rescue efforts intensified for people trapped in a rain-triggered landslide in Manipur’s Noney district, the death toll rose to 29 as of late evening Saturday, according to the deputy commissioner of the district, Haulianlal Guite.

The landslides, which have obstructed the flow of the Ijei river, have resulted in a dam-like storage situation. Dozens of people are still believed to be trapped under the debris at the incident site, Tupul yard railway construction camp.

“Relentless search operations by Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, SDRF and NDRF at the incident site at Tupul, Manipur continue. Fresh teams were deployed on Saturday to augment the search effort,” the Army said in an official communique.



So far, 13 Territorial Army personnel and five civilians have been rescued, while the mortal remains of 20 Territorial Army personnel and nine civilians have been recovered.

The mortal remains of 14 personnel, including one JCO and 12 other ranks of Territorial Army personnel, were sent to their respective home stations by two IAF aircraft and an Indian Army helicopter, while one was sent to Kangpokpi district by road, after wreath laying by GOC Red Shield Division and IG IGAR (South) at Imphal with full military honours, according to the communique.