Several low lying areas under water in Imphal
Incessant Rain Claims 1st Casualty : Man Electrocuted While Pumping Out Flood Water
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 09 2010: A man has been electrocuted while trying to pump out water that had inundated a house even as several low lying areas of Imphal have been flooded due to incessant rainfall during the last many days.

Following heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of major rivers that flow through the two districts of Imphal, several low lying residential areas have been inundated and in trying to pump out excess water with a electric water pump, one Moirangthem Loken (26) s/o M Tomchou accidentally touched a naked wire and was electrocuted.

Loken, hailing from Khangabok Makha Leikai Part-III in Thoubal district, was working in a jewellery store of one Takhellambam Amusana Singh of Keishamthong Thoudam Leirak.

Courtyard of the shop owner's residence was submerged.

A youth improvises a raft to make his way through the flood (L)and the flooded Cheirap Court

After suffering the electric shock at around 11 am today, Loken was rushed to RIMS Hospital but failed to respond to treatment.

Informed sources also said that Iyai river that flows close to Noney sub-division in Tamenglong district has over flooded forcing the people to leave for higher reaches.

Our Tamenglong correspondent Azonnah Zaspar said a house belonging to one K Thiukhomang of Khumji village has been swept away due to landslide triggered by heavy rainfall last night.

About Rs 5 lakh worth was estimatedly lost.

Continuous downpour for nearly a week has resulted in most rivers flowing in spate and low lying residential areas submerged in knee deep water with Uripok, Sagolband, Keishamthong, Naoremthong, Lamshang and Kadangband areas being some of the severely affected places.

It is said that excess water released from the Singda Dam spillway coupled with the Abulok, Wanglei and Lamshang rivers in spate, which ultimately join Nambul river had resulted in water from Nambul river overflowing its bank at several sections and inundating low lying areas.

Apart from inconveniences faced by residents, vehicular traffic along Uripok-Kangchup and Wahengbam Leikai road have been affected.

Residential areas that have been flooded included Sagolband side of the Nambul river, Naoremthong, Shamushang and Iroisemba even as police teams advised motorists against plying along the kangchup road from Naoremthong section as pre-emptive measures.

Traffic police personnel also diverted vehicular movement at some places.

Pockets of Lamshang Bazar, Heinoubok, Lairenkabi, Taothong, Kadangband etc have also been inundated.

To provide safe shelter to the affected people, Progressive Youth Association has opened a relief camp at Lamshang bazar with immediate effect.

To assess the situation, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister N Biren surveyed Singda Dam and nearby places this morning.

Information received from the IFCD flood control room said water level of both Nambul River and Imphal River are flowing above the danger mark at 783.675 metres (above mean sea level) and 787.200 metres respectively.

Moreover, water level of Thoubal river (775.450 metres) and Nambol river (773.500 meters) are also raising steadily, said IFCD sources.

It is also said that 54 millimetre rainfall was recorded last night at Kangpokpi while it was 57 mm at Saikul, 37 mm at Litan, 25.5 mm recorded at Raj Bhavan and 28 mm at Lamphelpat.