Paddy fields, roads washed away at Kamjong area
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, August 12 2015:
Terraced paddy fields of villages of Kamjong sub-division situated along the upper parts of Maklang river have been washed away and covered with mud and pebbles in a recent heavy downpour leaving the affected villagers in utter despair.
Villagers informed that the torrential rain on May 31 washed away a large tract of terrace paddy fields covering them with mud and pebbles.
The affected villages comprise Yengtem, Apong, Changa and Sampui which are situated on the upstream part of Maklang river under Kamjong sub-division of Ukhrul.
In Yengtem (Yidah) village, as per report given by secretary KA Ramthing, terrace paddy fields belonging to 18 families have been affected by the flash flood and the river course have altered so much that today it flows across the paddy fields.
Similar cases have also been reported from Apong, Sampui and Changa which practice terrace cultivation.
The incidents all occurred in the night of July 31 .
The affected villagers are now living in sheer despair as cultivation is their only means of subsistence and with their paddy fields washed away by the flood, they see little hope.
They have appealed to the relevant authorities to bail them out from the current situation.
Meanwhile, in another report, the jhum fields in Ningthi village under Kamjong have completely failed due to the erratic monsoon rains.
Ningthi village headman NS Shimray said paddy plantation and other crops have failed this year and the villagers are now unable to meet their daily needs.
At the same time inter-village roads of many villages which lie in the northern part of Ukhrul have been cut off due to landslides at various locations.
Chingjaroi DCC ADC member R Lawrence along with representatives of Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL), visited the site to assess the road condition.
During the inspection, they found that the torrential rain has washed away the PMGSY road from Razai Khunou to Chingjaroi.
Landslide has also hit the Kamjong BRTF road which has completely cut off transport and communication in the areas.
Though the BRTF has started work, the road restoration work is likely to take a long time in the difficult terrain compounded by the erratic weather.