Tupul landslide: ’25 bodies recovered, 38 still missing, stay alert’

Imphal: “With morning rains today and expected bad weather to continue, the condition is still developing and the future is unknown, the general public living in villages downstream are hereby advised to take their own precautions, and especially ensure children do not come out near the river,” says an advisory notice issued to public by Noney district deputy commissioner on Saturday.

A total of 25 bodies have been recovered so far, and 38 are still missing as Saturday 10 am. Stay Alert and Stay Safe! The advisory said.

Whoever can evacuate are also advised to evacuate. Public are further advised to stay alert and be prepared for any assistance in case rain conditions deteriorate further, it added.

Due to the unfortunate landslide which occurred at TupuI Yard Railway construction camp, where casualties are being reported and dozens buried alive. “The flow of the ljei river has also been obstructed by the debris, creating a dam-like storage condition which if breached will wreak havoc to the low-lying areas of Noney district head quarter,” it said.

All efforts are currently being undertaken using a dozen earth movers to make a clear channel for allowing the safe outflow of stored water, it added.

District administration in coordination with various national and state teams have been undertaking search and rescue, relief operations work.

The advisory provides district-level helpline numbers. For relief materials it provides EE DRDA — 7005000344,  for health related issues CMO Noney — 08730935885 and also for control room SDO Haochong — 0841487653, to function also as control room number for all information inflow and outflow.

Over 400 personnel across multiple central and state departments have been involved in search and rescue work at the Marangjing landslide site.

“The situation in the landslide affected area of Makhuam Railway Substation is still serious. Due to rainfall in the morning, we are expecting the bad weather to persist,” chief minister N.Biren Singh.

So far, 18 injured person and 25 deceased have been recovered. 38 persons are still missing. “We are putting in our best effort to expedite the rescue operation,” he added.