Rain-soaked 2000 rice bags laying at Jiri rail platform
Source: Chronicle News Service
Jiribam, April 27 2024:
Heavy rainfall, coupled with thunderstorm, that wreaked havoc in Jiribam district on April 24 has drenched more than 2000 bags of rice kept on the platform of Jiribam Railway Station.
The downpour left the rice sacks soaked, posing a challenge for authorities.
According to an official of Food Corporation of India (FCI), the warehouse in Jiribam had reached its capacity, compelling them to leave 36,999 bags of rice on the railway platform, covering them with plastic sheets.
The rice consignment had originally arrived at Jiribam railway station on April 13 and have been kept there since then.
Plans were in place to transport the rice to FCI warehouses in Sangaiprou, Sawombung, and Thoubal by trucks.
However, recent armed attacks on Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) tankers along NH 37 on April 16, which led to injury of two drivers and damage to five trucks, prompted transporters to initiate a strike.
Consequently, despite efforts to load the rice bags on to trucks in Jiribam, a considerable number remained stranded on the platform, exacerbating the situation.
The shipment of rice bags this time was notably higher due to dwindling stocks at FCI warehouses in Imphal.
These rice stocks were intended for transportation to Imphal through two transport contractors of FCI.
The rain-soaked rice will undergo testing, sorting, and subsequent transportation to Imphal, where it will undergo further examination before distribution to the public.
Meanwhile, a fertiliser consignment slated to reach Jiribam on Saturday got delayed due to some issues along tne railway tracks in certain parts of Assam.
Once the consignment of fertilisers arrives, situation could be worse.
In the past, there were instances of fertilisers getting soaked in the rain on the railway platform and causing contamination of nearby fields, resulting in unfortunate deaths of several cattle.
Nonetheless, efforts are underway to mitigate the challenges posed by the rain-soaked rice and the impending arrival of the fertiliser consignment.