Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 09 2010:
Consequent upon the flash flood which breached the bank of Thongjaorok river, large tracts of paddy cultivation ready for harvest have been submerged besides devastating a large number of fish farms in Bishnupur and Oinam constituencies.
The bank of Thongjaorok river caved in for a length of about 250 feet near Khumanthem Sanajaoba paddy fields in the intervening night of October 8 and 9 .
The sandy flood water gushing through the breached portion submerged large tracts of paddy fields thereby causing extensive damage to paddy plants which are ready for harvest.
With sand and gravels covering the paddy fields as thick as 4/5 feet, the peasants are at their wit's end.
The flood water also washed away the ring bund a of fish farm covering an area of around four hectares.
All the fishes reared in the farm have escaped together with the overflowing water, totally devastating its owner identified as Thokchom Ibomcha.
Likewise, several other fish farms belonging to 22 other farmers have been washed away by the flood water.
The deluge caused huge economic loss to the farmers as large numbers of fully grown fishes kept aside for the coming Ningol Chakkouba festival have escaped into the flood together with other smaller fishes, lamented one fish-farmer.
Oinam A/C MLA Dr I Ibohalbi and the Bishnupur DC made a field assessment of the extensive destruction caused to paddy fields and fish farms today.
Speaking to media persons who accompanied them, Dr I Ibohalbi said that due initiatives would be taken up in consultation with IFCD to reinforce river banks and dredge river beds starting from Khoijuman once the flood water recedes.
For this, a formal proposal has been submitted to the IFC Minister, he said.
Further, the Government has been requested to take up necessary actions for providing adequate compensation to the affected farmers after receiving a report from the DC about the damages done to paddy fields and fish farms.