Major rivers in spate, Serou bridge over Chakpi river in dire strait
Incessant rain in last few days flood large tracts of land in valley
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 31 2015 : With medium to heavy rainfall lashing all across the State since the past four/five days, all major rivers of the State are in spate.

On account of the sudden surge in the water level of all major rivers, the southern part of Manipur valley is facing a grim flood situation.

A key bridge which connects Chakpikarong Keithel with Chakpikarong village snapped and was inundated at the impact of the surging water and turbulent current of Chakpi river.

Moreover the approach road leading to the bridge has also been washed away.

Around five houses built on or close to the bank of Chakpi river in the downstream of Chakpikarong bridge have been washed away by the forceful and turbulent current.

Chakpi river flowing at the danger level seen is the Serou bridge

It is feared that many more houses including concrete buildings may collapse under the impact of the water current.

Many people whose houses have been flooded have been taking shelter at the newly constructed Chakpikarong market and nearby houses.

As the Chakpikarong bridge which is the only link to Chakpikarong village has been inundated, the fate of Chakpikarong villagers remains uncertain.

Some people have been stranded at Chakpikarong village and some others at Chakpikarong market.

Connectivity between Chakpikarong Keithel and Sugnu has also been disrupted after the Chakpikarong bridge snapped at around 9 am today.

SDO/BDO office, SBI, police station and PWD office located on the side of Chakpikarong Keithel have been cut off.

Likewise, a Government Higher Secondary School, a Primary Health Centre, one Veterinary office and an Assam Rifles camp located on the side of Chakpikarong village have been isolated.

If one must go to Sugnu from Chakpikarong village by avoiding the Chakpikarong bridge which has now snapped inundated, he/she must travel at least 35 Kms on a highly pathetic road.

Another bridge which connects Chakpikarong to Anal Khullen over Chakpi river has also been washed away by the turbulent current together with a suspension bridge built at Lamphu Pashna near United College, Chandel.

Chandel A/C MLA Nunghlung Victor made a field assessment of the flood affected areas this afternoon.

The MLA interacted with village chiefs and civil society leaders, and discussed about all possible remedial measures.

Later speaking to media persons, the MLA appealed to the Government to take note of the plight of flood affected people and take up relief measures on a war footing.

The huge water volume and turbulent current of Chakpi river is also posing a threat to the State's longest RCC bridge built at Serou.

Large numbers of wooden beams brought down by the current remain remain entangled at the Serou bridge.

Nonetheless, heavy machinery were pressed into service at around 6 pm at the initiative of MLA K Ranjit to pull free and push down the entangled wooden beams.

Water overflowing from Chakpi river has already flooded Serou village.

Most other areas of Sugnu Assembly segment have also been flooded.

Thousands of hectares of paddy fields and a large number of fish farms too have been inundated.

As Sugnu-Serou Lamkhai road has been flooded up to the level of shoulder, people have been taking the Sugnu Tribal-Serou Lamkhai road which was constructed anew.

Around one Km of Wabagai-Sugnu road has been inundated near Wabagai Keithel.

There too hundreds of paddy fields and a considerable number of fish farms have been submerged under water.

Many other fish farms were also inundated at Wabagai as the bank of Sekmai river breached at Keirak.

Wabagai-Kakching road has been flooded up to the waist.

Flood water gushing through the breached bank at Keirak has reached Uchiwa, Sekmaijin and adjoining areas.Hundreds of hectares of paddy fields have been inundated in Kakching area too.

According to information received from IFCD's flood control room, Kangpokpi recorded rainfall rate of 19 mm today, Saikul 21 mm, Litan 28 mm, Raj Bhavan 16 mm and Lamphelpat 17.20 mm.

At present Nambul river is flowing above warning level while Thoubal river is flowing above the highest flood level.

As the Sengmai (Sengvai) river overflowed, a spectacular view like that of the Loktak lake was formed in between Aimol Khullen and Iranpham today.

More than 100 paris of agricultural lands with standing crops as well as fish farms were submerged by a flash flood in and around Aimol Khullen village, our correspondent reports.

Villagers residing near the river bank have evacuated to a safer place as the water level has increased.

The Twisolok stream, a tributary of Sengmai river also overflowed submerging several agricultural lands at Molnom, Kumbirei, Satu, Khunjai, Chingnunghut and Aimol Tampak villages.

The strong current of the stream has flooded large tracts of agricultural land at Molnom and its surrounding villages.

One Lt Chungneingir Aimol of Aimol Khullen who had bought 10,000 fingerlings for rearing with a hope of generating huge income said, "The flash flood has submerged all my fish farms and shattered all my dreams" .

He appealed to the State Government to provide necessary relief assistance to the villagers at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Ts Willingson Anal, Member of the 12-District Headquarters DCC and MLA Korungthang individually visited the flood affected areas in Chandel district and interacted with the villagers.

MLA Korungthang, during his visit to the flood affected areas of Machi and Tengnoupal sub-division distributed relief material to the people.

The MLA handed over 60 bags of rice along with other essentials from the Chandel DC relief fund to the flood hit villagers of Island, Kangoi and Theimungkung.

The MLA witnessed about 19 displaced electric poles at Karongthel Lamlong during his visit to the sub-division.

Meanwhile, a newly constructed bridge over Chalou river under the PMGSY has reportedly been washed by the strong current of the river today.

Locals blame the contractors concerned for allegedly maintaining poor quality in the construction of the bridge.