Missing persons yet to be traced, NDRF, Navy divers to arrive today
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 29 2019:
With the three persons who disappeared at Mapithel Dam amidst the powerful cyclonic storm Fani last afternoon still untraceable, a team of NDRF and Navy divers will arrive here tomorrow to join the rescue operation.
Two boats with 12 people on board capsized in Mapithel Dam on the side of Chadong village at the impact of Fani last afternoon.
Even though local people succeeded in rescuing nine of them, the other three could not be found.
A joint team of State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, Fire Service and Police searched for the missing persons last night.
The search operation resumed this morning and it continued till the evening but the missing persons have not been found.
Meanwhile the Relief and Disaster Management Department has written to NDRF and the Ministry of Defence to send divers to help search the missing persons.
Sources informed that a team of NDRF divers would arrive here at 11 am tomorrow.
Another team of Navy divers would also arrive here from Vishakapatnam tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Manipur University's ground penetrating radar has been put under Mapithel Dam but the missing persons could not be traced.
At the moment, divers have been facing several difficulties in searching the missing persons under water, said the sources.
Mapithel Dam is 150 feet to 200 feet deep and the temperature is very cold in deeper areas.
Moreover, there are many trees under water and the bottom of the dam is very muddy.
Meanwhile, a warning issued by IMD has instructed all Deputy Commissioners to remain alert during the next 15 days.
It said that cyclonic storms may blaze through the State at 45 to 60 Kms/hour.
On the other hand, Irrigation Maintenance Division-II of Irrigation Department has prohibited fishing and boating at Singda Dam with effect from tomorrow.