A major landslide buried an entire village in Manipur’s Chandel district besides killing 20 of the 21 residents of the village, located close to the Indo-Myanmar border.
The incident took place on Saturday at Moupal Village. Incessant rains, which had been continuing for several hours led to the landslide, officials said, adding that the rescue workers, who were rushed to the area could save only one villager.
The Centre has rushed a NDRF team to the area. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh over phone and assured him all central assistance to deal with the situation arising out of the massive landslides in Chandel district.
"We have directed the National Disaster Response Force to immediately move forces to Manipur for rescue and relief operations. They will start their work early morning tomorrow," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said.
Rijiju is expected to visit Manipur on Monday to take stock of the situation there. Superintendent of Police of Chandel district Herojit Singh said 20 people were killed in the landslide at Moupal village under Khangbarol sub-division.
The north-eastern State of Manipur has been witnessing worst ever floods even as the government has sounded an high alert in and around the state due to the current wave of floods. According to official estimate about 15 lakh of the total 28 lakh population in the state have been affected due to the current wave of floods this year.
Officials said that the Jiribam and Moreh town completely remained cut off from the rest of the state due to floods and landslides while the Imphal Valley, Thoubal and Chandel districts of the state have also remained submerged under water.
All the rivers in the state are flowing above danger level, forcing the Government to announce a high alert across the State.