Rescue ops begins, four bodies recovered, AR rescues 3 villagers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 02 2015: Except for a greenish tarpaulin roof, no other trace of the presence of a village could be seen at Joumol where a massive landslide buried alive 20 villagers yesterday.

Nonetheless, a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) assisted by Assam Rifles troops has launched rescue operation in the area.

A 25-member team of NDRF reached Imphal this morning and they were flown up to Aibol Joupi in two MI-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force.

From Aibol Joupi, they trekked for three hours up to Joumol hamlet.

This reporter who accompanied the NDRF team saw that it was still raining there which severely hampered the rescue operation.

NDRF Guwahati Commandant Satish Kumar Shastri told The Sangai Express that the rescue team reached Joumol in the afternoon.

The huge landslide which has swept away a village in Chandel district, seen in pic (encircled) is a tarpaulin shelter

So far there is no report about rescuing any victim but four dead bodies have been recovered so far.

The rescue operation would continue tomorrow morning.

Satish Kumar also informed that 45 other NDRF personnel have been dispatched to Imphal from Guwahati by road last night.

Meanwhile, the Chandel Additional SP, Molcham OC, one Magistrate and a medical team left for Joumol in an Air Force helicopter this morning.

But no communication could be established with the team so far, according to information received from Chandel district administration.

It is reported that two MI-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force have been stationed at Imphal to cater to any emergency situations.

On the other hand Assam Rifles personnel managed to rescue three villagers after aerial efforts from landslide affected areas today at about 12 am.

Following combined efforts of Assam Rifles and National Disaster Response Force, four bodies have been recovered while 8 are still missing.

The rescued villagers have been identified as Robert Hamlet Paite (47), who is the chief of Joumai village, Shekhow Paite (37) son of Namthong Paite and Thongmang Paite (40) son of Sonkhojang Paite.

So far six survivors have been accounted for from the landslide, said sources and named three other persons who were rescued yesterday as Mangkholet Baite who reached Aibol Joupi yesterday and Mongpu Paite and Nagmandel Paite who reached Chamol post.

The two persons who reached Chamol reportedly informed Assam Rifles that 10 houses with 18 occupants came under the landslide.

According to Robert Hamlet Paite, the chief of Joumal village, there are 10 houses in the village.

The total population of the village is 74, according to the chief.