Singda dam water level receding thanks to faulty valve
Water supply shortage
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 14: With the water level of Singda Dam receding at an alarming rate and compounded by the failure of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to repair the valve in time, people of Imphal have started to feel the pinch of shortage of drinking water even as the remaining water volume in the reservoir of the dam is reported to just last for around 20 days only.

During the course of an independent probe conducted by The Sangai Express on why there is shortage of drinking water in Imphal inspite of the heavy rainfall and even facing flood twice in 2007, it came to light that the valve of the dam used for drawing and releasing water has been lying broken leading to wastage of water and thus receding of the water level of the dam steadily.

With water running dry at Singda Dam the dam beds develop cracks in the face of the rising heat

The dam constructed by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been providing water to irrigate the paddy fields from July every year and the valve is again closed in September.

However, last year after the valve was opened to release the water for irrigation, it broke down while it was being closed.

Since then the valve has not been functioning and the water from the dam has been flowing in waste.

After six months, the valve was finally repaired.

However, while the valve was out of order, the water level of the dam receded at the rate of over 2 feet every day and despite the said repairing of the same, the water level has been receding at the rate of one foot per day.

The dam has been supplying water to Kangchup Water Treatment Plant and Singda Water Treatment Plant.

But with the water level receding at an alarming level, arrangements have been made so that6 the dam can supply water to the two plants on alternate days.

Talking to The Sangai Express in connection with receding water level of the dam, Chief Engineer of Public Health Engineering Department G Joychandra said that he had personally gone and inspected the matter and the officials of the Department had also taken a report on the remaining water at the reservoir of the dam.

According to the report, the water level of the dam has been receded to 878 metres from its normal required level of 887 metres.

Thus, the level of water remaining, measured from top is only 9 metres now which would be barely enough to last for around 20 days.

During the course of the investigation, this reporter also came across that the drains in the Kangchup Chingkhong area are overflowing with water leaking from the clariflocurator (tank) of the Singda Water Treatment Plant.

Water from the main pipeline of this plant is also seen being spilled out in waste near Sanjenbam Lamkhai following breakdown of the valve.

It is said that this water treatment plant would not be in a position to supply water to the consumers for sometime.

The places where water is being supplied from this plant include Keishampat, Keishamthong Irom Pukhri Mapal, Kwakeithel, Sangaiprou, Sagolband Nepra Menjor, etc.

However, on the other hand, with sufficient water being received from Leimakhong, it is said that there would not be much problem in supplying water from Kangchup Water Treatment Plant under its jurisdiction like Uripok, Cheiraoching, Thangmeiband area, etc.