Locals try to clear out landslide debris from canal as fields, homes, farms lie inundated
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, August 20 2024: Despite efforts to clear out landslide debris from Lousi canal with the help of heavy machinery, the challenges posed by the difficult terrain has hampered any progress and instead slowly inundated houses, paddy fields and fish farms at Chingkakpham (between Thoubal and Kakching district) and Tekcham.

The canal was blocked by a landslide at Tekcham Maning Ching yesterday leading to its overflow and subsequent flooding of the surrounding areas.

Due to inability to remove the landslide debris, 6/7 houses at Tekcham are slowly being submerged with the rising water level.

Various local clubs and organisations from Kakching and Tekcham as well as Tekcham Gram Panchayat members attempted to remove the landslide rubble with the help of Poclain earth movers and JCBs from early this morning.

However, with no way to access the area, the locals are reportedly trying to clear out part of the hill to forge a pathway.

In this connection, L Damenti, chairperson Tekcham Gram Panchayat stated that 4/5th of the Lousi canal has been' blocked by debris from the landslide.

"Despite concerted efforts by the local club volunteers, we have not been able to reach the site of the landslide.

If the debris are not cleared out by today or tomorrow, the overflowing water from the canal will not only submerge the fish farms and paddy fields but possibly inundate homes at Tekcham, Sapam, Irengband, Sora Kakching and Papal villages" she cautioned.

In view of such probable adversity, L Damenti urged the State Government to help remove the rubble by tomorrow with the help of necessary machinery.

Meanwhile, L Priyobarta, secretary, Ningsing Lup Tekcham informed that the blocking of Lousi canal stands to affect the people of Kakching, Wabagai and Wangjing Tentha Assembly Constituency.

Thus, he urged the MLAs of the three ACs to monitor the situation closely and help remedy the situation by clearing out the landslide debris from the canal.

Comment