Large tracts still flooded, water levels recede
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 01 2015 : As water levels of the major rivers draining Manipur Valley have either stabilised or started receding, the flood situation in the State has been gradually improving since this afternoon.

According to information received from IFCD's Flood Control Room this afternoon, water levels of Imphal river and Iril river have started receding.

On account of overflowing of water from Nambul river and Kongba river, some areas were flooded a little.

But at some other places, the banks of Kongba river brea-ched.

Nonetheless the brea- ched portions have been filled in using sand bags.

Imphal river was also overflowing over its embankments at Singjamei Thokchom Leikai and Khestri Leikai.

The surging water level of Thoubal river got stabilised by 3 pm today and it gradually started receding in the evening.

Flooded compund of Hotel Imphal

The volume of water overflowing from Sekmai river at Keirak is also decreasing.

The water level of Wangjing river has stabilised and it remains unchanged.

More than 40 villages belonging to Sugnu Assembly Constituency have been flooded by water overflowing from Chakpi river.

A large number of people residing at these villages are currently taking shelter at safer places.

On account of water overflowing from Lamphelpat, large areas of Langol and adjoining areas have also been flooded.

As an immediate relief measure, MLA K Ranjit has donated 500 quintals of rice, 40 tins of cooking oil, 25 bags of dal, 30 bags of potato, 25 bags of common salt and candles to the flood affected people.

As many villages located near Manipur River like Serou, Nungou, Chairel, Thongyam and Tangjeng Khunjao have been flooded, hundreds of families have been taking shelter at Thingkhangphai Toupokpi, Singtam, Forest office and some villages of Churachandpur district.

K Ranjit visited all the places where the affected people have been taking shelter.

He thanked all the hosts for provided shelter to the displaced families.

After the concerned SDOs/SDCs submit detail reports about the extent of damage done by the flood, the State Government would provide necessary relief assistance, informed Ranjit as assured by the Chief Minister.

Water current of Chakpi river was blocked by large logs and tree trunks brought down by the current which got entangled at the feet of the Serou bridge.

This led to further rise in the water level and ultimately flooded large parts of Serou.

Nonetheless, the volume of water overflowing into Serou village has declined considerably after the entangled logs and tree trunks were pulled free and pushed down the river using heavy machinery.

On account of the extensive inundation, most of the IVRs of Serou still remain inaccessible.

According to former MLA Kh Joykishan, Neikanlong, Tarung, Happy Valley and Grace Colony have been flooded on account of the recent spate of downpour.

The former MLA visited the flood affected areas today.

Speaking to the accompanying media persons, Joykishan said that he proposed in the State Assembly last year to develop Lamphelpat as a water reservoir for stocking excess water which could not be drained into Nambul river.

But there was no response from the Government except that the matter would be looked into.

Seasonal floods in Thangmeiband, Uripok and Sagolband A/Cs have close link with Lamphelpat and Nambul river.

If Lamphelpat is developed as a water body, there would be no shortage of water during dry season.

Moreover, it can help promote fishery as well as tourism industry, Joykishan said.

He also donated some relief materials to the affected people at the premises of Rongmei Naga Baptist Association, Tarung.

Meanwhile, Heikon village of Lamlai A/C in Senapati district has been cut off from the rest of the State after a bailey bridge built over Chingoi river to connect with Terakhong village was swept away by strong and turbulent flood water at around 11 pm yesterday.

Village church pastor Thanglet Khongsai said that the villagers have no other route to reach Imphal now.

On the otherhand Terakhong villagers are also facing inconvenience after a culvert at Gouro Nagar was swept away by flood water some days back.

The villagers now need to walk around 1 km to cross the area.

Meanwhile, 300 paris of paddy field of Sabam Loukon, 30 paris of Pawa Loukon, 200 paris of Lairen Thibi Loukon and several paris of Takhel Loukon in Imphal East district have been submerged under flood water.

BJP Manipur Pradesh central district executive member in-charge Khongbantabam Ibomcha visited these areas and interacted with villagers today.

He also visited flood affected areas like Kanguching, Takhel, Lamlai, Kharason and Yourbung etc.

Meanwhile, around 5000 people of 40 villages of Kana area (Sajik Tampak) have been cut off from the rest of the world after the collapse of Chakpikarong bridge, Tera village bridge and Gelngai village bridge due to surging and turbulent current of flood water.

In a statement, Sajik Tampak DCC Member Khupkholen Haokip said that Sillen, Chakap, Haika (L), P Salem villages are also inundated with flood water coming from Kana river.

On the otherhand, paddy fields of Aigejang, Molphei, S Molnom, Khomunnom, S Sijang, Paldai, P Salem, T Phaicham and Longja villages have been washed away.

He further said that all the educational institutes of the area are now closed while 21 AR located at Sajik Tampak is also facing inconvenience as the area is totally isolated from the rest of the State.

As such, he urged the Government to provide relief materials through helicopter and other means of transportation and construct the collapsed bridge at the earliest.