Ngamthang calls on all to help fight flood
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2012:
Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Minister Ngamthang while affirming that all possible measures would be undertaken to prevent collateral damage from monsoon flooding called upon all concerned to support and extend cooperation to the IFC Department personnel in combating the seasonal woes.
Along with inspecting vulnerable river banks at Keirao, Kshetrigao and Wangoi Assembly Constituencies today, Ngamthang advised the Department officials to ensure that there is no laxity in taking up pre-emptive steps to check large scale inundation.
apart from the Department officials, the Minister's inspection tour was also accompanied by MLAs K Thamarjit (Keirao), Amin Shah (Kshetrigao) and O Lukhoi (Wangoi) .
Personally inspecting the weak river banks and susceptible embankments of Iril, Kongba and Imphal rivers that flow through various locations of the three Assembly segments, he advised the IFCD officials to stock-pile and get ready the nececessary flood-fighting equipment and materials ahead of the monsoon.
The Minister also advised the officials to remove the defunct water supply scheme structure at near Top Khongnangkhong bridge to ensure smooth flow of the Kongba river.
He also assessed work progress of the Kongba river water diversion project at Keirao Takhok area as well as the construction of a retaining wall at Arapti Awang Leikai along with the local MLA.
To a Minister's poser, Department officials exuded confidence that one of the sluice gates of the imphal Barrage could be repaired/replaced within this month.
It is said that the sluice gate, out of five, constructed for the Imphal Barrage got damaged when the river was in spate about a year back.
Damage of the said gate had not only been affecting supply of drinking water to certain pockets of Imphal area but also crippled the irrigation facility from the Barrage.
With today's inspection tour covering almost the entire vulnerable sections of various river banks in the valley pockets, the Minister pointed out that it is now the prerogative of the local MLAs to chalk out emergency work plan to mitigate the people from large-scale inundation during the rainy seasons.
He also informed that expenditure incurred in taking up flood-fighting measures would be borne under the Special plan Assistance.
The Minister also affirmed that initiating/implementing flood fighting programmes will not be based on political affiliations and loyalty as the Government to determined to ensure safety of the citizens' life and properties.
Further informing that the Department's flood control room has been made functional from May 1 itself, the Minister said in addition to ensuring availability of flood fighting materials through the local MLAs the people's representatives would be updated and consulted on relevant measures.
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