Manipur landslide: No bodies rescued on day five, 14 still missing

Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 5 (EMN): Rescue operations for survivors were called off on Tuesday as no body was recovered during the day’s search operation conducted at the Manipur landslide site, officials said. As a result, the death toll remains at 47 after the fifth day of search operations.

A senior Manipur government official, who is monitoring the situation from Noney district headquarters, when contacted said that there was no recovery today (July 5).

“Search and rescue operations have been called for today,” he said.

Till Monday, 47 bodies were recovered while 18 injured persons were rescued and referred to hospitals for treatment. Out of the total bodies recovered, 28 are those from Territorial Army personnel while 14 others including two Territorial Army personnel are still missing.

Meanwhile, the Noney district authority has ordered the closure of Tupul to Noney district headquarters stretch of the National Highway (NH) 37 following the falling of rocks since Monday night. Although the NHIDCL (National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited) has made all efforts to clear the accumulated debris, the rock falls continue periodically, thus posing danger to life and property for those vehicles plying along the NH 37 road, the directive stated.

Given the uncertain road conditions, it was therefore ordered that NH 37 between Tupul and Namduanjang villages be closed for all heavy vehicles, all medical vehicles and all civilian vehicles except those carrying emergency supplies.

“Noney Police shall give effect to this order and enforce it strictly in the interest of public order and safety.  This order shall remain in effect until further orders”, a senior district official stated.

Meanwhile, Manipur Governor La Ganesan visited the Assam Rifles Multispecialty Hospital at Mantripukhri on Tuesday and enquired about the health conditions of the recent catastrophic landslide survivors who are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.

During the visit, the Governor also had a brief interaction with the seven injured army personnel of 107 Territorial Army and expressed solidarity with them and also prayed for speedy recovery.

Director General(Assam Rifles)Lt. General P C Nair who arrived on Tuesday also visited Assam Rifles Hospital at Mantripukhri and interacted with the injured soldiers who survived the  landslide. Lt General Nair also enquired about their well being and prayed for their speedy recovery.

The massive landslide took place near the railway construction camp at Marangching part 5 areas, about 75 west of Imphal, on June 29 midnight.