The death toll from the deadly landslide in Manipur’s Noney district climbed to 40 with more dead bodies recovered on July 3, the fourth day of the rescue operation.
Reports said that six more dead bodies were recovered on July 3 as the rescue operation continued braving the inclement weather of the day.
Of the six bodies recovered till the late afternoon, four were personnel of the 107 Territorial Army and one worker of VSC (Venkata Sai Construction). The identity of the sixth one could not be established till the filing of the report.
Around 24 persons missing after the massive landslide are yet to be traced, the report said.
The rescue operation launched by a joint task force comprising army, Assam Rifles, NDRF, SDRF, CRPF, army medical doctors, Manipur police, fire service personnel, volunteers of MMTA and villagers entered the fourth day on July 3.
Meanwhile, to ensure smooth, efficient rescue operation, the deputy commissioner of Noney district on July 3 issued an order regulating entry of vehicles in the landslide area.
Only the official vehicles and vehicles used in search and rescue operations will be allowed to go beyond the NH-37 junction point.
For all the other vehicles, only those with entry passes issued from the office of the DC will be allowed and the SDO of Haochong will issue the passes only on reasonable grounds, after consulting with the DC and the SP of the district.
No vehicle carrying relief materials from civil society organisations and other well-wishers will be allowed beyond the highway junction. All such relief materials will be deposited at the DC office where the SDO of Haochong will receive them.
The order regulating the vehicular entry was issued to avoid pile-up of vehicles and visitors at ground zero of the Marangjing landslide area and to ensure there is smooth, efficient operation of vehicles used in the landslide search and rescue operation, the DC stated in the order.
