IFCD opens sluice gate, rivers in spate
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 06:
With heavy downpour hitting most parts of the State since the past many days and major rivers in spate, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) authorities have kept open the sluice gate of lthai barrage to prevent large scale inundation.
Owing to the continuous rainfall, the Nambul river is flowing above the warning level while the water level of Imphal and Iril rivers are steadily on the rise.
Speaking to The Sangai Express an official manning the Flood Control Room of IFCD said rainfall for the last many days in the State particularly in the catchment areas had raised the Nambul river level a few feet above the 782.400 metre warning mark.
The water level of Imphal River is said to be flowing around the 783.725 metre mark while it is 782.20 metre for Iril River with both showing no sign of receding.
Rainfall record maintained by the IFC Department at this juncture suggest 43 millilitres in Kangpokpi area, 8 millilitres measured in Raj Bhavan, 8.40 millilitres received in Lamphel area and Saiklul measuring 13 millilitres.
When queried IFC Minister N Biren informed that taking into account the quantum of rainfall and as preventive measures from flooding all the sluice gates of thai Barrage had been opened to facilitate outflow of excess water.
Further confiding that personnel and officials of the Department had been kept on the alert and advised to monitor the situation round the clock, the Minister further maintained that all flood fighting machineries and equipments such as trucks and JCBs have been stationed at many divisions of the IFC Dept.
Apart from providing materials and deploying manpower to strengthen river banks at locations identified as vulnerable strong instructions had been issued to ensure work quality is maintained, Biren confided.
Taking serious note of unidentified persons abducting two Section Officers assigned to monitor Imphal River banks and certain miscreants hampering departmental works, the Minister appealed to all concerned to refrain from such unwanted acts as it is the common people who would suffer the most in case large scale flooding occurs.
Meanwhile, information provided by the Meteorological Dept indicate that rainfall would continue for about three more days in the State.
With possibility of thunderstorm not ruled out.