NIT team inspects oil spillage
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 11 2024: After reports of unusual oil effluent discharge in some minor streams in Leimakhong area, Imphal West, an expert faculty team of National Institute of Technology, Manipur from the Department of Civil Engineering (CED) undertook a detailed inspection of the streams in Leimakhong.

The NIT Manipur team consisted of Dr Ng Romeji (Hydrologist), Dr Bakimchandra (Head/GIS expert), Dr Albinokumar (Environmentalist) and Dr Azhoni (Climate Expert), faculty from CED.

They were accompanied by L Dorendra, Assistant Registrar and PhD/PG students, said a statement issued by the Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Manipur.

NIT team inspects oil spillage

Preliminary investigations revealed that oil spillage caused by anthropogenic factors from the Leimakhong Power Plant (which houses a 600 kW installed power capacity) has resulted in oil effluent discharge in the Khanglapokpi Khong and a few other minor channels.

The immediate construction of a bund to divert the oil effluent flow from further travelling downstream into the adjoining paddy fields has prevented contaminant transport into the main Luwanglei stream and Leimakhong river, said the statement.

The Luwanglei stream discharges into the Nambul River at Taothong-Iroishemba and Leimakhong River discharges into the Imphal River at Nilakuthi.

The statement also shared the Potential of Hydrogen (pH) value of water samples collected at i) upstream source point at Khanglapokpi - 8.5 ii) diversion point at Khanglapokpi - 10.0 and iii) downstream point where Khanglapokpi and minor drainage confluence with Luwanglei stream - 8.0.This indicates that the water is alkaline.

Further tests are being conducted at the CED laboratory, NIT Manipur, which will give further insights into the water quality and safety criteria for potability.

No contamination was observed in the Leimakhong River at Kanto Sabal and Nilakuthi areas, which indicate that Imphal River is relatively safe from effluents, said the statement.