Lagatar24 Desk
Guwahati, July 1: Eight more bodies were recovered on Friday, bringing the total number of fatalities in the landslide at the Noney area of Manipur to 16, according to Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
Seven members of the Territorial Army and a civilian were among the eight people who died in the avalanche that occurred on Wednesday night at the 107 Territorial Army Camp close to the Tupul Yard Railway building site.
The Chief Minister reported that 81 people in all were present at the scene on Wednesday night and that at least 55 people are still unaccounted for. He also disclosed financial help of 5 lakh for each decedent’s family and 50,000 for each injured person.
“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.
Along with the central and state disaster teams, search activities are being carried out by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Territorial Army. A railway line being built from Jiribam district to Imphal, the state capital, is secured by the Territorial Army.
In order to make the accident scene accessible and aid in the rescue operations, bulldozers and other engineering tools are being employed.
Five civilians and 13 members of the Territorial Army have so far been saved. The hunt for the missing individuals will go on all day, according to the authorities.
