Four houses washed away, three perilous
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 04 2024: At least four houses have been washed away and three are on the verge of collapsing in Leikinthabi Shan-tipur area due to the damage caused to the Sekmai pickup weir canal in the recent flood.

Expressing concern over the situation, United Committee Manipur (UCM) Sekmai Unit has urged the government for swift repairing of the pickup weir and canal by maintaining proper work quality and also for providing assistance to the affected families.

During an assessment visit in the area on Tuesday, UCM Sekmai president Ayangbam Suresh said that the pickup weir canal was damaged in the recent flooding induced by Cyclone RemaL Houses of Thangjam Manglem, Thangjam Sanahal, Wangkhem Bi-mol and Namoijam Bimol of Leikinthabi Shantipur were washed away.

At the same time, houses of Maibam Chourjit, Thoudam Hemanta and Yumlembam Sanajaoba also suffered extensive damages and are on the verge of collapse.

In the event of more heavy rainfall leading to further rise in the water level of Sekmai River, more houses would be inundated.

At present, several families are staying in relief camps set up at Leikinthabi Shantipur community hall managed by local club since May 29, he said while drawing attention of the government for extending swift assistance to the affected families.

The pickup weir and its canal provides irrigation facilities to agricultural fields in Leikinthabi, Tingri, Awang Wabagai, Awang Potsangbam Khullen, Awang Potsangbam Khunou, Keikon, Nilakuthi, Maibakhul, Koirengei and Mongjam.

It is estimated that damage would affect around 2000 hectares of agricultural land in the area, he added.

Members of Leikinthabi Shantipur Sporting Club (LSSC) and Ithei Committee of nine villages were part of the assessment visit.

LSSC vice-president Chanamtha-bam Ananda said that the situation, though manmade, is a natural calamity.

The canal is not large enough to support the high volume of water and the minor irrigation department has been carrying out repair work almost every year for the last 15 years as it is get damaged by the high volume of water.

Except for May 28, no government officials have visited the area till date, he rued and demanded the government to repair the canal by maintaining proper quality at the earliest.

He also demanded the government authority to make public the repairing plan before execution.

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