A massive landslide hit a town in western Manipur killing seven Territorial Army (TA) jawans and one civilian while 13 others were injured on Wednesday night.  Operations continued on Thursday to rescue several people feared trapped under the debris at Tupul yard railway construction camp.

Many of those killed belonged to the TA who guarded a major railway line construction site, officials said. The landslide also obstructed the flow of the Ijie river, creating a dam-like water body that could lead to flooding and environmental disaster if the debris were to be cleared.

Residents have been asked to take precautions and not let children go near the river. The district administration is in touch with national and State disaster management agencies for search, rescue and relief operations. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh held an emergency meeting.

“Called an emergency meeting to assess the situation of the landslide in Tupul today. The search and rescue operation are  already underway. Let’s keep them in our prayers today. Ambulances along with doctors have also been dispatched to assist in the operation,” Singh tweeted.  He also visited the mishap site.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Manipur Chief Minister and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the mishap.

The Army said its troops, along with Assam Rifles and Territorial Army, continued the rescue operations throughout the day in and around Tupul railway station in the Noney district despite the inclement weather. Teams of Indian railways, civil administration, NDRF, SDRF and locals of Noney district are also actively contributing in the search.

So far, 13 soldiers of the Territorial Army and five civilians have been rescued, while the mortal remains of seven soldiers and one civilian have been recovered.

Relentless search operations will continue during the night. Engineering equipment, including bulldozers, have been pressed into service for creating access to the incident site and help in the rescue efforts.