Crisis Management Committee reviews relief operations in Manipur

The tremor left large cracks in walls, damaged a bridge on the outskirts of the capital and caused a newly constructed six-story building to collapse. About 100 people were injured and of them 33 were critical, official sources said. Vehicular movement was stated to be normal in the state capital.

Soldiers remove debris from a damaged building in Imphal, capital of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Guwahati, which was engaged in rescue in Tamenglong district and Imphal besides other parts of state, was clearing debris and searching if anyone was still trapped, officials said.

To assess the safety of partially damaged public buildings and advise the state government on issues related to fix and retrofitting of these structres, the National Disaster Management Authority is deploying a team of experts. All six deaths were in the state while 70 people were injured.

The epicenter of the natural disaster, which shook the North-East region at 4:30AM was at Kabui Kjulen, 10 km from Noney sub-division of Manipur's Tamenglong district.

Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said all offices, except those providing emergency services, will remain closed for two days, while educational institutions will be shut for seven days.

Media reports said five people were killed in neighbouring Bangladesh, but there was no official confirmation. "I appeal to people not to believe in them", he told reporters.

The Home Minister briefed Prime Minister Modi over phone about the situation and the steps taken for rescue and relief. He said, "I am trying to contact people and am monitoring the situation". Union Health Secretary B K Sharma also called up the state health departments in all the affected States and offered all possible help. C17 Globemaster & IL76 plane had been kept on standby at the Hindon airbase to respond to any further relief operations as and when needed. A team of engineers from Power Grid Corporation wil be sent to Imphal to assist the state government in restoration of power. Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, would also send a special team of doctors, including orthopedics, from Delhi to Imphal.