Imphal Underwater Again: A Call for Permanent Solutions to Manipur's Recurring Flood Crisis

Dr. Asem Tomba Meetei *

A Call for Permanent Solutions to Manipur's Recurring Flood Crisis

Every year, the Imphal Valley suffers from destructive floods, and every year, attention is often focused on urban drainage, clogged roads, or rainfall intensity. But based on an overall analysis of Manipur’s geography and ecology, I believe the real crisis begins far upstream—along the tributary rivers originating from the surrounding hills.

Flooding in the Imphal Valley is not just a natural event—it is increasingly a man-made disaster. The main drivers, in my view, include rampant deforestation in the hill districts, which has severely reduced the region’s ability to retain and gradually release rainwater; unregulated extraction of stones, sand, and boulders from the riverbeds and banks of tributary rivers such as those feeding the Iril, Thoubal, and Sekmai; encroachment and degradation of wetlands and paddy fields in the valley, which once acted as natural flood buffers.

When such large rocks are removed from the banks or beds of rivers, especially in hill-fed rivers, it can significantly increase the speed and volume of water flow downstream.

When forests are cut and riverbeds are destabilised, intense rainfall—especially during monsoon—leads to rapid runoff, erosion, and silt-laden water rushing down into the low-lying valley. The weakened ecosystem can no longer absorb or delay this water flow, resulting in flash floods, waterlogging, and widespread damage.

A Call for Permanent Solutions to Manipur's Recurring Flood Crisis

What I Believe Must Be Done

To truly address the problem, we need an integrated, long-term approach that sees the valley and hills as one hydrological and ecological unit. In my view, the following measures are essential:

In the Hills:

1. Ban unregulated riverbed mining and enforce strict penalties;
2. Launch afforestation efforts with indigenous species on degraded slopes;
3. Introduce watershed conservation structures like check dams and contour trenches to slow down runoff;
4. Empower local communities to take stewardship of forests through decentralised forest governance.

In the Valley:

1. Desilt rivers regularly, especially before monsoon;
2. Restore wetlands like Lamphelpat, Yaralpat, and others to serve as water retention zones;
3. Use eco-friendly bank reinforcement techniques, such as bamboo matting and vegetative bunds, instead of only relying on concrete.

The Role of Policy and Public Action

In my opinion, the state government should urgently develop a Hill-to-Valley Flood Management Strategy, with strong inter-departmental coordination between forest, water resources, agriculture, and urban development authorities.

There should also be a Catchment Area Restoration Plan that addresses both environmental and livelihood needs so that development in the hills does not come at the cost of environmental collapse.

Moreover, integrating indigenous ecological knowledge and traditional land-use practices can help build a resilient system that works with nature rather than against it.

Photo courtesy: Josephsana Asem

A Final Word

To truly mitigate floods in Imphal, we must look upstream, not just downstream. As rainfall patterns become more unpredictable due to climate change, the risks will only grow unless action is taken now.

Saving the hills is not just about preserving forests or rivers, it’s about protecting lives, homes, and the future of the entire Imphal Valley.