Landslide kills 1 in Manipur, injures 4

A woman was killed and another is missing in a landslide in Manipur's Senapati district on Thursday afternoon, official reports said on Friday. Four others were seriously injured.

While officials assume that the missing woman must be dead, efforts are on to trace her, police said. The injured have been rushed to a hospital.

Police said that incessant rain triggered the landslide. The tribals were taking shelter near a shop along the Maram-Parel road in Senapati district.

Meanwhile the central government team, which was sent in response to the state government's proposal to have the floods declared a state calamity, is inspecting the flood situation in Manipur.

The deluge has destroyed paddy fields. Flood waters from the breached river banks have inundated several residential areas.

Vice Chairman of Imphal's Tangkhul Avenue T. Siro said: "Rampant encroachment has caused the artificial floods. Unless the government demolishes the constructions we will do it ourselves and the government should be held squarely responsible."

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said: "Paddy fields and fish farms have been destroyed. We are distributing relief materials to the residents of the relief camps and the flood affected villagers. Besides, free medical camps are being held to check outbreak of water-borne diseases."

Several landslides have occurred along NH 2, which is the lifeline of Manipur. At least 5 persons were killed and several injured when a bridge collapsed and one mini-bus met with an accident along this highway.

While water levels of the major rivers have receded in the past two days, stagnant flood waters are inundating the paddy fields and low lying residential areas.

--IANS

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