IMPHAL: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are preparing their teams to carry out rescue operations in Manipur where heavy rains have triggered landslides and claimed 21 lives.
Earlier the state government had dispatched a team of SDRF to rescue affected people but the team could not proceed due to several landslides near Tengnoupal village and had to return to Chandel district headquarters.
However, secretary of relief and disaster management of Manipur, Jason A Shimray, said with the assistance of NDRF, the teams have now started moving to the affected areas.
"To go to that place by road is not possible, so we asked support from NDRF. So NDRF has sent a chopper last night. They had been airlifted from Guwahati. We have sent the first team to the place of incident," said Shimray.
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has also assured all kind of assistance to the flood-affected families.
Meanwhile, Director General of NDRF, O. P. Singh said they are continuously in touch with state authorities.
"Last night my team went to Imphal and from there they visited the affected area. The nearest helipad is in Ibol Jopi and from there our team is trekking four kilometers to reach the spot. We are continuously in touch with state authorities of Manipur, revenue officials, disaster management authorities, and Assam rifles commander team. I am sure that after reaching the spot, we will handle the situation well," said Singh.
Many people have vacated their houses and shifted to safer places.
Floods have wreaked havoc in many districts of the state as bridges have been washed away and houses and shops are submerged in water.
Joumol village in Chandel district was swept away as 20 villagers were buried alive in a landslide.
Only one person survived the calamity in the village and he reported the incident at the Assam Rifles post of Hengshi village. He has now been provided shelter at neighbouring Sehlon village.
Around 20 disaster response teams have initiated the rescue work and as of now a team of 18 members consisting of doctors along with relief materials has flown to the affected areas under Khengjoi sub-division in Chandel District.
The landslides have also caused major cracks along the Imphal-Moeh highway. A portion of Tengnoupal-Sangshak road has also been washed away.