Earth crack develops at Kangpokpi village ; Landslide feared, many evacuate
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, June 04 2017: A massive earth crack developed this morning over all Kalikhola and its adjoining village, around 3 miles from Kangpokpi DHQs under Kangpokpi police station which is on the verge of a massive landslide that could easily sweep away the entire village.

The district administration represented by SDC (HQ), Kaigoulal Kipgen instantly rushed to the spot at around 6 am today along with police and 38 AR representatives to take stock of the situation.

The district administration in collaboration with 38 Assam Rifles Kangpokpi Post led by Maj.

Syed Irfan evacuated many villagers from the village as the area is in probable condition of facing a massive landslide any time and immediately set up a temporary relief camp at Goma Devi Govt High School at Toribari.

Earth crack develops at Kangpokpi village

The earth crack caused complete damage to around 3 houses belonging to Man Bahadur Chhetry (48), s/o (L) Goura Bahadur Chhetry comprising of 9 family members, Nar Bahadur Basnet (50), s/o (L) Chhatra Bahadur Basnet comprising of 6 family members and Devi Prasad Dhungana (40), s/o (L) Tara Nidhi Dhungana comprising of 6 family members.

Around 10 more houses at Kalikhola are on the verge turning over while more than 3 paris of paddy field have already been damaged and the area a massive landslide may occur any time.

PMGSY road connecting Makuli and Kalapahar from Imphal-Tamenglong road was also badly damaged while the pipeline of PHED Water Reservoirs at Toribari has also been extremely damaged.

Meanwhile, a team of All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union and ADC Member Sagar Gewali visited Kalikhola village this afternoon at around 4 pm and visited the victims sheltered at the temporary relief camp at Toribari village.

The student body appealed the State Government and authority concerned to immediately address the grievances of the people who are badly affected owing to the massive earth crack today and urged the district administration to do the needful at the earliest apart conveying its gratitude and appreciation to the district administration and security forces who timely rushed to the spot and immediately set up a temporary relief camp for the affected people.

According to the one of the victims who residential house has been completely damaged by the earth crack, "we felt earth movement suddenly this morning and within the blink of a time my house almost collapsed and we instantly ran out from the house." He said the condition is such that it will be too risky to stay at the village as a massive landslide can happen any time considering the vast earth crack.

Some of the victims at the temporary camp returned to the village in search of their cattle while some are still busy engaged in evacuating their properties till the time of writing this report.

Many of the victims' children are students studying at different schools within Kangpokpi district and are now sheltered at the temporary relief camp at Toribari.

The victims present at the relief camp also urged the State Government to immediately look into their grievances and initiate measures for their compensation and rehabilitation at the earliest possible time.