Earthen dams on Waishel has led to frequent flooding in Imphal areas
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 13 2011: Lack of coordination between the IFCD and Minor Irrigation Department while constructing small dams across Waishel Maril is behind the frequent flooding in areas of Keishamthong, Sagolband, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa and adjoining areas in Imphal.

Concerned over the problem of flooding in low lying areas by water spilled from the clogged drainage system, dredging of Waishel Maril is being carried out with the services of IFCD and local MLAs concerned by contributing money from their own pockets.

But, despite the efforts, residents of these areas are still face floodings.

In order to take a first hand account of the failure of the efforts of the department, IFCD minister, N Biren today inspected various places along the Waishel Maril where dams have been constructed.

The minister accompanied by officials of the IFCD inspected the small earth and RCC dams constructed across the Waishel Maril at Meijarao, Pukhrambam and Sanjenbam.

Following an instruction from the minister, some temporary earth dams blocking the flow of water were taken out using excavators.

The earth dams and RCC dams at various places along the Waishel Maril were constructed with the objective of supplying irrigation water to the fields nearby during the dry season.

But, as these dams are not open during the rainy season, floodings are caused in areas within the Keishamthong, Sagolband and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Assembly constituencies, observed the minister.

Asserting that the dams were constructed by the Minor Irrigation Department, the IFCD minister alleged that they had not consulted IFCD while taking up dam constructions.

The dams constructed by the MI Department coupled with other dams constructed by farmers at their own convenience to get their fields irrigated has led to inundation in low lying areas, he added.

He urged the farmers and villagers of the areas to co-operate with the IFCD in its effort to ensure free flow of water.

The minister convinced them to remove the temporary dams constructed by them during the rainy season.

MLA RK Anand and top officials of the IFCD took part in the minister's inspection.

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