Rain, poor drainage cited for water logging at Lamphel
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 09 2011: In addition to incessant rainfall, absence of an effective drainage system has been cited as the chief factors for people of Lamphelpat area having to face problem of inundation almost every year.

Talking to The Sangai Express during an inspection tour of various flooded residential and office complexes located in Lamphelpat areas this evening, Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) Chief Engineer Th Indramani said effective flood control measures will have to be worked out specifically for Lamphelpat.

Conceding that drainage infrastructure will have to be developed as a long term plan to free Lamphel residents from the chronic menace of flooding, Indramani said a meeting of all major departments would be held soon for presentation of a detailed flood-control plan to the Chief Minister.

With regard to the present-day inundation of residences, Government institutions and important offices such as State Election Office and Settlement & Land Records Office, all located in Lamphelpat area, the Chief Engineer said eight water pumps of 20 Horse Power each have been put into operation to draw out excess water at the Shamushang channel point.

A water logged street in Lamphel

Confiding that the pumps, four electrical and same number diesel-run, had been in operation since June 13, he also explained that effectively draining out the excess water was hampered due to non-availability of uninterrupted power supply.

However, with the Electricity Department assuring to provide power round the clock from today onward there is expectation of eradicating inconveniences faced by people in water-logged areas, the Chief Engineer maintained.

Further informing that water level of Nambul river has been gradually receding with the cessation of rainfall, he said such a situation has facilitated partial opening of the sluice gate at Shamushang culvert.

He also observed that on completion of the Nambul river retaining wall construction draining out excess water from Lamphelpat areas would be relatively easier while added that water-logging of Lamphelpat would be addressed on completion of various draining works being taken up by Planning and Development authority.

The draining scheme is being targeted for completion by 2013, Indramani said who pointed out that at present water level of the Nambul river is a decisive factor for either Lamphelpat areas remaining under flood water or free from the problem.

Another factor for the problem, according to the Chief Engineer, is the growing human habitation in Lamphelpat which was originally a swamp area that served as a temporary detention reservoir for the Nambul river.

With no proper drainage system in place compared to construction of residential and non-residential buildings the problem of inundation during the monsoons season is inevitable at the current juncture, he pointed out and suggested that there is need for opening the Ithai Barrage gate more frequently to maintain the Nambul river water level.

Indramani also informed that under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner concerned official processes have been taken for providing relief materials to the effected families.

Additional Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, who was also in the inspection team, said a number of complaint has been received on the frequent inundation of Lamphelpat areas where top ranking officials also reside.

Stressing on chalking out an effective long-term plan to address the problem, he also said there should coordination and consultation between departments concerned.

Stating that priority should be given on draining out excess water from Lamphelpat, he expressed apprehension that failure to initiate appropriate measures at the earliest might result in damage of important documents and costly machines kept inside the water-logged State election Office.

Commissioner (IFCD) H Imocha Singh, another top ranking officer of the inspection team, opined that an emergency meeting of various departments need to be convened to sort out the problem and means to address the same for submission to the Chief Minister.