Manipur landslide: So far, 13 personnel of the Territorial Army and five civilians have been rescued.
The death count in the landslide at Manipur's Noney district increased to 18, with the bodies of ten more persons recovered today, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
The eight deaths reported yesterday in the landslide, which took place at the 107 Territorial Army Camp near Tupul yard railway construction site on Wednesday night, included seven Territorial Army personnel and a civilian.
A total of 81 persons were there at the site on Wednesday night, said the Chief Minister, adding that at least 45 are missing. Mr Singh also announced Rs 5 lakh financial assistance each for the family of those who died and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
"We hope to complete the search and rescue operations within 2-3 days. The soil is so soft that hardly any movement is possible. Heavy rescue machinery cannot pass through," he said.
Search operations are being conducted by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Territorial Army, besides the central and state disaster forces. The Territorial Army provides security to a railway line being built from Jiribam district to Imphal, the state capital.
Bulldozers and other engineering equipment are being used to make the incident site accessible and help in the rescue efforts.
"A Thorough Wall Radar is also being inducted by air to detect the presence of personnel buried in the debris. A search-and-rescue dog is also being inducted," said an official release.
So far, 13 personnel of the Territorial Army and five civilians have been rescued. Authorities said the search for missing personnel will continue throughout the day.
The landslide has obstructed the flow of Ijai river, creating a dam-like water body that may inundate low-lying areas if the debris are removed. The state government has issued an advisory in this regard.
Those living in the low-lying areas have been asked to remain prepared for evacuation in case there is more rainfall. Travellers have been asked to avoid National Highway 37 due to multiple road blockages and travel only if there's an emergency.