Manipur Landslide: Death count rises to 42
Premium- Heavy rains and fresh landslides in the Tupul area since Saturday night have affected the search operations for missing 20 people.
The death toll in the landslide at a railway construction site in Manipur's Noney district rose to 42 on 3 July.
Officials recover eight more bodies, while search operations were underway for another 20 people, an official said.
Adding more, heavy rains and fresh landslides in the Tupul area since Saturday night have affected the search operations, he said.
"Bodies of 42 people have been found so far from under the debris at Tupul yard railway construction camp. Among them are 27 Territorial Army personnel and 15 civilians, including railway employees, construction workers and villagers," a defence spokesperson in Guwahati said.
The Territorial Army is deployed in the area to provide security for the railway construction work.
"Relentless effort to find the remaining three missing Territorial Army personnel, and 17 civilians will continue," he said.
The Army, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, SDRF and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are part of the search operations.
"The search operation is continuing despite adverse weather conditions, owing to heavy rains and fresh landslides last night," the spokesperson said.
So far, 13 Territorial Army personnel and five civilians have been safely rescued.
To find the missing persons under the debris Through Wall Imaging Radar (TWIR) technology is being used. Also, a search and rescue dog has also been brought in to assist the efforts.
Earlier on 30 June, a massive landslide hit Tupul yard railway construction camp. The debris blocked the Ijei river, creating a reservoir that threatens to inundate the low-lying areas. At present, work is underway to clear the debris to let the water flow out.
With PTI inputs.