Mysterious landslide alarms Tusom
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, October 20 2013: A mysterious bang followed by a massive landslide occurred at Tusom Christian Village, a border village under Chingai sub-division of Ukhrul district, and the unusual natural phenomenon has caught the surrounding villagers in alarming situation.

As per late reports received on Sunday, the massive landslide after a mysterious bang occurred on October 13 last near the Indo-Myanmar border under New Tusom village, about 135-km from Ukhrul headquarters.

Locals said the unusual natural phenomenon happened at around 7.30 pm at a spot located 2.5-km from Tusom CV village towards Somra village in Myanmar.

The landslide is said to have washed away about 50-km forested areas and a massive mudflow in reddish colour is reported to be taking place even now.

Mysterious landslide alarms Tusom

Villagers informed that there is an outpour of mudflow from nearly two-foot diameter crater left from the landslide on the slope of a hill.

The mudflow accompanied by water is reported to be continually flowing into Challou River.

On Sunday a team of reporters left for the spot and experts from the state are also leaving Imphal on Monday to conduct an inspection to ascertain the nature of the phenomenon and what causes the situation.

Deputy Speaker of Manipur Assembly, MK Preshow said that he would lead an official team to assess the damages.

Tusom village falls under his Assembly constituency of Chingai.

Preshow said he would ask officials to take precautionary measures in the area, which falls near border pillar No.129 .

Villagers are mystified and alarmed by the natural circumstance and feared that it may be of serious nature.

They are apprehensive of going to the site and enquire the proportion of disaster.

On being asked if there was any smoke emanating from the area, the villagers informed there is no sign of any smoke and nothing could be ascertained as it occurred at night.

Basing their opinion on traditional knowledge, locals said the nature of mudflow and water from the crater appears like the situation was caused by an outburst of water trapped underneath the earth.

However, the nature of the landslide could not be given any scientific explanation till now and required a study from experts in the field.

Meanwhile the Tusom village authority has clarified that the incident had nothing to do with rumour of erupting lava like materials and sought assistance from the government as sick and needy ones could not move forward.