Release of water floods Yairipok
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 31 2015 : Whereas it has been six days since hundreds of people fled their homes and took refuge in relief camps out of fear about possible breakdown of Mapithel Dam, release of water from the dam near tower type RCC intake has flooded many areas of Yairipok.

Following seepage of water from the earth-filled dam to the downstream, people of Tumukhong, Moirangpurel and Itham have been taking refuge in relief camps.

Meanwhile, water hold up by the dam was released near tower type RCC intake at the advice of IFC Department since last Wednesday.

On account of release of water from the dam, water level of Thoubal river in the downstream surged dramatically.

Paddy located on either side of Thoubal river at Yairipok Changamdabi, Yambem, Ningthounai, Top Chingtha, Laimanai, Tulihal, Poiroukhongjil, Angtha etc have been flooded or on the verge of being flooded, said Development Organisation Andro Kendra (DOAK) general secretary K Abungcha.

A joint team of DOAK volunteers and media persons visited the displaced villagers who have been taking refuge at relief camps.

According to Tumukhong village chairman Yumlembam Thoiba, people living in the downstream are still apprehensive that the Mapithel Dam may collapse or get breached any time.

Altogether 1614 villagers of Tumukhong have been taking refuge at five relief camps.

Total number of people staying at relief camps has declined a little as some people have shifted to places of relatives for health reasons and other compelling factors like child delivery etc.

Some people have been taking shelter at Nongdam and Maphou villages.

Now many people staying at the relief camps have started suffering from diarrhoea and other communicable diseases, Thoiba said.

Although no aid has been coming from the Government till date, some relief materials have been provided to the villagers of Tumukhong, Moirangpurel and Itham.

Some other relief materials were also donated by the Human Rights Initiative to the people who are taking refuge at relief camps, he added.

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