2022 Manipur landslide
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  Landslide  Landslide | |
| Date | 30 June 2022 |
|---|---|
| Time | ≈02:00 IST (UTC+05:30)[1] |
| Location | Noney District, Manipur, India |
| Type | Landslide |
| Deaths | 58[2] |
| Non-fatal injuries | 18[2] |
| Missing | 3[2] |
A large landslide occurred in Nona district of the Indian state of Manipur near the Tupul railway construction site on the night of 30 June 2022.[3] It killed 58 people and three people were missing.[2] Eighteen people were injured. Twenty-nine Indian Army personnel and 29 civilians were among the deceased. Of the missing three people, two were civilians and one was an Indian Army personnel.[4]
The landslide occurred in the district of Noney, at 107 Territorial Army Camp, near the Tupul railway construction site of the Jiribam–Imphal line of Indian Railways. The initial eight confirmed fatalities were members of the Territorial Army. The group acted as security personnel for a railroad construction that would connect Jiribam railway station to Manipur's capital city Imphal. The landslide occurred near the Ijei river where it created a dam. Rescuers believed it could lead to major flooding if the dam gave way, causing a larger disaster.[5] The landslide was attributed to weak soil due to prolonged exposure, rain and human factors. Experts at Manipur University said that nearly all landslides in the region have been caused by the poor lithology—fractured rocks, steep slopes and unstable mass were contributing factors. It was likely that the water-clogged soil liquefied and destabilized, causing the landslide.[6]
Rescue and recovery
The government of Manipur mobilized the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force to coordinate rescue missions.[7] Over 250 soldiers, rescuers and police officers were involved.[8] Bulldozers and excavators were used to find bodies in the nearby river. Search and rescue operations by the Assam Rifles and Territorial Army went underway to find between 50 and 72 missing individuals.[9] Twenty-three to 43 of the missing were Territorial Army soldiers.[5]
By July 2, the bodies of 34 people were recovered.[10][11] At least 28 people remained missing.[10] Nineteen people were rescued,[12] including 13 Territorial Army soldiers and five civilians. Rescuers said the search for more people would continue into the night.[13] The injured were taken to the Noney Army Medical unit for treatment.[9]
By July 3, the total death toll was 42, while another 20 remained missing.[14] At least 27 were members of the Territorial Army, and 15 civilians were among those killed. Unfavourable weather conditions and new landslides further complicated the efforts. Rockslides were reported during rescue operations. Rescuers used radar and a search and rescue dog to locate potential survivors that were buried.[15] Works were also ongoing to remove debris blocking the Ijei river to empty a landslide-dammed lake.[14]
By July 20, the total death toll reached 56, with five people still missing. The deceased included 29 Indian Army personnel and 27 civilians.[16] On 20 July 2022, the rescue operation was officially called off with five bodies still missing.[17]
On 23 July 2022, two more bodies were recovered from the landslide site by local people with the help of the Indian Railways authority, three days after the search operation was officially called off.[2]