Two minors were critically injured in a landslide which occurred in Ukhrul town, Manipur on Tuesday, while the state faces nature’s fury as Cyclone Remal which hit Northeast India.
The minors, Soshine Kaping, 9, and Phameirin Kaping, 17, were injured in the landslide which occurred at Viewland zone IV, Ukhrul. Both of them had no chance of escaping when the house was completely engulfed in the landslide. Both are currently undergoing medical treatment at Ukhrul district hospital, Hungpung.
Narrating the horrific incident, Dinah Kaping, a mother of Soshine, said that the landslide occurred between 11 am and noon while their family members were staying inside the kitchen.
“We heard a sudden loud noise and within a second our home was engulfed, leading to complete darkness,” she said.
In the commotion that followed, the family members frantically searched for the missing children, only to find them buried in the deep mud. They were found unconscious but soon regained their consciousness prior to rushing them to district hospital with help from neighbours. Their condition has improved, however, the family is in fear of potential fractures to their shoulders and legs.
Flowing the incessant rain and strong winds in the district, several paddy fields have been destroyed and submerged in the flood-like situation triggered by the cyclone. The damage done to the standing crops could not be ascertained with people staying indoors for safety.
While the water level is still flowing above the danger mark. Several rooftops have been blown off at different areas of the district. There are also reports of electrical poles and trees being uprooted.
The main lifeline including Imphal to Ukhrul and Ukhrul to Jessami routes and in various portions of the road are blocked by landslides.
As per sources, the NHIDCL has been doing all that they could to clear the debris caused by the landslides in different areas of the district and make the road hassle free from vehicular movement.
The absence of a robust drainage system has posed serious threats to the populace of Ukhrul district at the onset of monsoon.
Whenever there is a downpour, every roadside is scattered with filth, emanating bad odor in every locality in addition to waterlogging, which again is posing serious health hazards. The incident triggered on Tuesday is a wake up call for different communities of the state to prepare for any unforeseen climate induced phenomena.
The state government therefore must play an active role before it is too late for no one knows when the next natural disaster will hit the state.
