Flash floods strike Imphal city
Landslide on NH 53 disrupts vehicular movement
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 21 2011: Torrential downpours overnight today caused flash floodings that submerged many low lying areas, particularly by-lanes in Imphal areas, which are indicative of the total failure of the much vaunted government�s multi crore drainage system.

The state meteorology office said rainfall in the last 24 hours was only 67.9 mm, with heaviest falls during Saturday afternoon but most creeks and streams in Imphal have overflowed causing flash floods.

The floodings occurred in the heart of the city where the government had constructed drainages to drain water to prevent floodings during the rainy season.

Floodings from incomplete works of the sewerage project added another woe to Imphalites.

Clogged rain water due to improper drainage caused floodings at places like Mayengbam Leikai, Hodam Leirak, Sega road and on both sides of the Waishel Maril, Konjeng Hajari Leikai, Sagolband Salam Leikai, Lamphel traffic point, etc.

Vehicle ploughing through a road in Imphal during the flash floods

By lanes at Naorem Leikai, Beni Leirak, Thongbam Leirak, Kakwa Asem Leikai, Thongam Leikai, Waikhom Leikai, Haobam Marak and Uripok areas are inundated by flood water.

These places and roads were submerged by rain water despite the newly constructed drains at these places.

Locals said that water flow in the Waishel Maril has been blocked after development work was taken up by the government.

No authority of the department was put into service to relieve Imphalites from the �artificial flash floods� .

The situation is likely to worsen in the days to come as weather forecasts indicate heavy rains in the next couples of days.

Due to the heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, vehicular movement on NH 53 have been disturbed as landslides occurred at many places.

Major landslides were reported at Kaiphundai and at Shanti Khunou.

BRTF personnel have been engaged in service to clear the landslides so as to resume normal service.

On other hand, heavy rainfall in Tamenglong, Churachandpur and parts of Senapati were reported on Saturday.

Meteorology department has predicted heavy rainfall in the hill districts of Manipur in the coming few days.

The weather forecast for Churachandpur indicates heavy rain and moderate rainfall in Senapati.

Tamenglong district which recorded 140 mm rainfall today is predicted with further rains in the next two days.

Ukhrul district will experience moderate rainfall of 26 mm with cold weather in the couple of days as per the forecast.