30 homesteads, 530 paris of paddy fields affected by floods
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 21 2011: Over 30 homesteads in Khumbong area of Imphal West district have been submerged and around 530 paris of paddy fields inundated as the Maklang river overflowed today due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas.

Kshetrimayum Nabadweep, a resident of Maklang whose homestead has been under water, said that the water level of the Maklang river passing through the village suddenly rose at 6 am.

Flood waters submerged over 30 homesteads of Khumbong Mayai and Makha Leikais.

The flood water also submerged paddy fields in the low-lying areas.

The submerged fields included around 30 paris at Khaidem Loukon, 200 at Ngairangbam Loukon and 300 paris of paddy fields on the western side of the Maklang river, he said.

Houses and paddy fields at Sangaithel and Ngairangbam villages were first affected by the overflowing river.

The overflow of the river water was mainly caused by the narrow bridge across the river along NH 37 constructed by the BRTF, villagers observed.

They said that the bridge is too narrow to bear the volume of water during the rainy season.

At the time of construction, villagers had repeatedly requested the BRTF authority to construct it at a higher location.

Villagers had prevented BRTF labourers from constructing another bridge on NH 37 near Khumbong bazar.

The BRTF failed to come back to the work place, the villagers said.

A hydrant dam constructed on the Maklang river at Khumbong bazar was another reason for the flood, the villagers went on to observe.

Due to the dam, the flow of the river has been slowed down resulting in the rise of the water level during the rainy season, they informed.

In the meantime, around 60 people whose homesteads have been inundated are taking shelter at a relief camp opened at the Sangoi of one Ksh Irabot at Khumbong Mayai Leikai.

Dr Ranjan, a social worker has provided 50 bags (50 kg each) of rice and a cash amount of ' 3000 as help to the flood affected families.

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