Rescue operation will continue till all the victims are found: Minister Awangbow Newmai
IT News
Imphal, July 04:
The death toll in the unfortunate landslide incident in Manipur’s Noney district rose to 45 after three more bodies were recovered from the debris on Monday, an official said.
Till 12:30 pm, three dead bodies, including one Territorial Army personnel and one civilian were retrieved from the landslide site, said the official. The other recovered body was yet to be identified at the time of filing this report.
Despite adverse weather conditions since Saturday night, the search operations continue on a fifth day to find the remaining 17 missing persons believed to have been buried under the debris after the massive landslide brought down a mega railway project construction site at Makhuam.
Water Resource and Relief & Disaster Management Minister Awangbow Newmai who continuously checked and supervised the ground zero of the landslide affected areas stated that the rescue operation will continue till all the victims are found with the concerted efforts of all stakeholders.
Relief & Disaster Management Minister informed that Four (4) more dead bodies are found, death toll now reached 46.
The Minister also appealed to the people of the state not to visit the site and to donate the relief material through proper channels. The Minister personally reached the rescue site and instructed the security to focus on the suspected site where the victims are expected to be buried.
Minister Awangbow also reached out to the victim’s family at Makhuam (Marangching) and assured all possible assistance from the State Government under the supervision of Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh. He also sought cooperation and support from all sections to successfully execute the rescue operation.
Awangbow expressed gratitude to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their concern on the incident and for providing assistance by sending NDRF personnel and required manpower.
Union Minister of State Dr Subhas Sarkar visited the landslide site on Sunday and assessed the ongoing search and rescue operations undertaken by the NDRF, SDRF, Army, Assam Rifles, police and local volunteers.
Speaking to media persons, MoS Dr Sarkar said the Center has taken the landslide incident very seriously and is ready to provide all possible help in rescue operations.
Of the 80 confirmed victims at the unfortunate landslide incident at Makhuam in Noney district, the joint task force rescued 18 persons alive and 45 recovered mortal remains.