Ministers assess situation as rivers breach banks
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 02 2024: Water Resources and Relief & Disaster Management minister Awangbow Newmai on Tuesday inspected condition of Imphal River, which is overflowing following incessant rainfall in the past few days at Kangla, Moirangkhom, Khuman Lampak, Ayangpali Road, Khurai and other locations in and around Imphal areas.

During the visit, Awangbow acknowledged that due to the incessant rainfall since Monday some areas of the state have been affected as the state government has started making maximum effort to control the flood.

He sought cooperation from the people to tackle the flood problems.

The minister was accompanied by additional chief engineer (Flood) Y Homendro, and other officials of the department.

Meanwhile, expressing concern over rising water level of major rivers in the state in the wake of incessant rains since Monday, CAF & PD minister L Susindro said that a project for dredging river beds and cleansing the banks is inevitable to prevent flooding.

The minister informed media persons on the sidelines of inspection of river banks after major rivers in the state overflowed at many places and inundated several areas on Tuesday that hectic efforts are being made to raise river embankment at many places to prevent flood.

According to Susindro, siltation of river beds is one main reason behind causing flood whenever there is heavy rain for one or two days.

Even if there is no rain in the valley, rain water from the hills bring down pebbles and sand thereby causing siltation of river beds.

Another reason for flooding in the valley is encroachment of river banks, he said and appealed encroachers to vacate buildings and structures constructed on river banks.

Meanwhile, incessant rain since Monday have flooded many areas of Haraorou, Sambei, Chingkhu and Yumnam Khunou in Imphal East district as Kongba river flowing through these villages overflowed or breached the embankments.

Paddy fields in these villages too are under water thereby raising concern among villagers if they could not produce food for the year.

Water seeping from Imphal river bank has started to inundate many areas in Khurai and Wangkhei assembly constituencies as local volunteers came out in large numbers to repair the same.

Water leaked from Imphal river bank at Kekrupat point also the inundated the road at North AOC and Kangla moat causing apprehension among the city dwellers of facing another spell of flood.

With incessant rainfall continuing for the past few days, major rivers in the state, particularly in Imphal valley, have almost reached flood levels as of Tuesday evening.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) report issued on July 1, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in the state in the next five days.

The State Relief and Disaster Management Department has requested all deputy commissioners to promptly issue guidance oh precautions to be followed regarding floods, landslides, lightning, and thunderstorms to mitigate the anticipated calamity.

A district-wise control room has been operationalised to facilitate distress or emergency calls during any emergencies or eventualities.

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