Landslide death toll in Manipur rises to 48

The death toll in a landslide in Manipur rose to 48 as rescue teams retrieved a body from the Ijei river running under the foothills of the Marangching mountain range in Noni district on Wednesday. Thirteen people are still missing.

A source said that the body recovered around 3.30 pm is that of Subedar Umesh Lama of 107 Territorial Army (TA).

In the early hours of June 30, the worst-ever landslide in the state hit a railway construction camp that housed the Territorial Army (TA), railway officials and a road construction company, temporary homes of laborers and villagers.

Also Read:- Landslide death toll in Manipur rises to 37 & 25 people still missing: Report 03Jul 2022

A total of 79 people were affected by the havoc of nature. Of these, 18 were rescued safely. The 13 missing include six from private company VSC, one each from Railways and TA and five villagers, the source said.

A large part of the Ijei River was blocked by landslide debris, causing a major impediment to the search operation and obstructing the free flow of the river.

More than 30 heavy machinery including excavators have been pressed into service in the operation jointly initiated by SDRF, NDRF, Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, Manipur Police, Fire Brigade, members of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association and local volunteers.

In addition to throughwall radar machines, sniffer dogs of the Army and NDRF are also being used in the operation. Awangbo Numai, Minister of Water Resources and Relief and Disaster Management, visited the site for the fifth time on Wednesday.

Also Read:- Another landslide near Manipur tragedy site; 38 people are still missing: Report 02Jul 2022

In the evening, the minister chaired a review meeting to discuss the situation, which was attended by the Deputy Commissioner (Noni) and all the heads of the rescue teams, a source said.

On Monday, the minister said the rescue operation would continue till all the bodies were recovered. Another Army radar machine to be used in the operation is on the way, and the river dredging activity will focus on flushing out the stagnant waters of the Ijei River to ease the operation.

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Landslide death toll in Manipur rises to 48

Also Read:- Landslide at Territorial Army Camp in Manipur kills 10, over 50 missing: Report 01Jul 2022

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