A massive landslide that occurred Wednesday midnight in Noney district killed two Territorial Army (TA) personnel, rescued thirteen people, and 20 remained missing.

Massive rescue operations were launched Thursday by the Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police and people of the area.

Helicopters will be used for rescue operations when the weather is clear, defence officials said.

Two couples and a child were also reported missing.

The landslide also blocked the Ezei river which flows in Noney district about 50 km from Imphal.

Defence officials said personnel of 107 Territorial Army of Indian Army were deployed near Tupul Railway Station in Noney district, for the protection of an under-construction railway line connecting Jiribam to Imphal when the landslide hit the camp.

The available engineer plant equipment on site has also been pressed into the rescue efforts.

All the injured persons were treated at Noney Army Medical unit. The critically injured personnel will be moved to Imphal.

Rescue operations were hampered by fresh landslides and bad weather. Helicopters and personnel are preparing to launch operations.

Newsonair reports :

Dozens of people are reportedly buried alive due to the landslide occurred last night at Tupul Yard Railway Construction Camp in Noney.

Meanwhile, district administration has issued advisory to the people informing nearby villagers to take precautions and advised people to get evacuated at the earliest. The advisory said that the flow of Ezei River has been obstructed by debris creating dam like water storage which if breached may wreak havoc in low lying areas of Noney district.