The death toll in the massive landslide in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur has risen to 42, with the recovery of some 18 bodies in the past two days, officials said on Monday.

The landslide, triggered by torrential rains, occurred late on Wednesday night at a Territorial Army camp near an under-construction Metro railway site in the state's Noney district.

"So far, 42 bodies have been recovered by rescuers from the site. Of the deceased, 27 are Army jawans and 15 civilians, including locals and construction workers," a defense spokesperson told the media.

The Territorial Army is a volunteer reserve force of the Indian Army.

"Some 20 people, mostly civilians, are still missing," the spokesperson said, adding that the rescue operation at the site by the Indian Army and the National Disaster Relief Force "is still on".

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the family of the deceased, after visiting the disaster site last week.

Landslides and floods are common in the north and northeastern Indian states during the monsoon months of June to September. The natural disasters are triggered by heavy monsoon rains crucial for India's farming.