Imphal waterlogged; flash-fiood landslides in districts
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 28 2024: The state experienced severe disruptions as Cyclone Remal made landfall in West Bengal and Assam, bringing heavy rains and storms.

On Tuesday, the state recorded one of the heaviest downpours of 121.3 mm of rain, leaving a trail of destruction.

The deluge resulted in numerous houses submerged under water, forcing residents to evacuate their homes and seek shelter in safer zones.

An important bridge collapsed in Tamenglong district under intense pressure of floodwaters, severing a crucial transport link as security forces launched rescue and relief operations.

Additionally, several landslides were reported which cut off key roads and isolating many areas.

Imphal waterlogged; flash-fiood landslides in districts

In response to the widespread destruction and inclement weather, government authorities have declared a holiday for all schools and non-essential services until May 31 to ensure the safety of residents and facilitate the ongoing relief efforts.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded orange alert for Monday and Tuesday in Manipur.

Though the weather was calm with light to moderate rainfall on Monday, people woke up to water-logged roads on Tuesday morning due to heavy rainfall accompanied with storm post-midnight.

Throughout the day, the state experienced widespread incessant rainfall in varying intensity exacerbating the impact of the severe weather condition.

IMD has forecast very likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall and lightning with gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 kmph) at isolated places on Wednesday.

Imphal Valley is reeling under the onslaught of severe flooding as all major rivers are flowing in full-spate.

The Imphal River, in particular, has overflown at multiple locations, inundating several localities and major roads of the capital city.

The situation turned critical earlier in the afternoon when the bank of the Imphal River near Sangeet Kala Sangam at Khurai Lamlong was on the brink of breaching.

Local residents, in a commendable effort, attempted to create makeshift pathways for the overflowing water.

However, despite their efforts, the sheer volume of water breached the defences, inundating houses in residential areas such as Lairikyengbam Leikai, Lai Wangma, Telipati, and Kekrupat areas.

The situation worsened when the retaining/boundary wall of Kekrupat collapsed around 9 pm, flooding the entire stretch of road from Kangla northern gate to Khoyathong LIC office, resembling a river in full force.

The overflowed water from the Imphal River also inundated the Ayangpalli road stretch from Khurai Lamlong Keithel to Porompat.

Flooding has also been reported at various landmarks and infrastructure, including the Shri Shri Govindaji Temple, government offices in Babupara, RIMS hospital, and numerous offices in the Imphal city area.

Thoubal and Kakching reported similar flood scenarios, with rivers nearly reaching flood levels.

Areas such as Singjamei, Kakwa, and Wangkhei in Imphal East, and Sekmai, Uripok, Keishampat, Sagolband, Keishamthong, and Kwakeithel in Imphal West were also severely affected.

Roads in these areas, such as Singjamei-Canchipur road, Kwakeithel-Keishampat road, and Wangkhei Andro Parking stretch, were submerged under knee-deep water, making transportation difficult for the public.

In response to the crisis, government authorities opened a gate of the Ithai Barrage to alleviate the flooding.

Additionally, an order issued by the PWD executive engineer (bridge division) prohibited crossing over bridge on Sekmai River connecting Awang Sekmai and Awang Leikinthabi, and Hangel Bridge in Maiba Khul, to prevent human casualties.

Late-night reports confirmed that the western bank of the Imphal River breached for about 100 feet at Salanthong area, directing water flow towards the Heingang assembly constituency, exacerbating the already dire situation.

Nambul River also overflowed in Takyel Khongbal and Lamboi Khongnangkhong area resulting in flooding in surrounding areas.

TAMENGLONG: Tamenglong district recorded windstorm reaching speed of 50 km per hour which blew away roof tops and houses and uprooted trees.

District administration has declared holiday for all schools in the district on Wednesday.

NONEY: Normal life was badly affected in Noney district due to incessant rains with power supply lines damaged and major rivers like Ijei, Irang, Leimatak, Iril flowing at danger level by early evening as landslides occurred along NH-37.Meanwhile, the Irang Bailley Bridge at Taobam village, one of the major transport structures along the Imphal-Jiribam Road (NH-37) collapsed on Tuesday around 4:30 pm due to impact of the increasing of water volume that washed away abutment of the bridge.

However there is no casualty.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) informed that the 33kV transmission, Yurembam-Noney, line from 132/33kV sub-station could not be restored due to multiple disc & pin type insulators punctured at different locations due to the heavy storm and lightning.

The transmission line has started section-wise charging, and during this process, the punctured insulators are replaced, which will continue till the exact fault locations are resolved.

MSPCL informed that it will take time to rectify the whole length and during this process, power supply to the consumers of 33/11 kV Noney sub-station will be affected.

SENAPATI: The incessant rainfall since Monday night submerged many residential houses along the banks of rivers and streams in Senapati district headquarters.

Senapati River that passes through the district headquarters is flowing above danger level and likely to submerge more houses if the rain continues.

The river water is flowing above the retaining walls constructed along the bank.

Although strong wind is not witnessed in the district headquarters till early evening, there are reports of strong gust accompanied by heavy rains in the hill tracts since noon.

Although detailed reports could not be collected, some damages by the strong wind cannot be ruled out.

The river water also overflowed a bridge leading to inundation of Viewland Colony.

There are also reports of mudslides blocking the road leading to different colonies within the district headquarters including NH at different portions.

BISHNUPUR: Large scale damages were reported in Bishnupur district due to heavy downpour as banks of Kha Potshangbam River breached at two locations east of Royal Education Centre leading to flooding of Nachou Kha Leikai affecting around 100 houses as well as several vegetable and fish farms.

Nachou Awang Leikai is also facing similar condition not by breach of river bank but due to shallow depth of the riverbed resulting in water overflowing to the residential pockets and farms.

Keinou River also overflowed resulting in flooding in residential and farm areas while Thongjaorok River which flows between Khoijuman and Kwasiphai through Bishnupur also breached at three locations flooding around 500 hectares of vegetable and fish farms.

Attempt to repair the breached bank using heaving machines proved futile.

According to a farmer from Khoijuman namely Chongtham Khogendra, they had approached the department concerned to construct a dam or a bridge in the area but authorities have not taken up any initiative.

The situation today could have been averted if the authority took up timely initiatives, he rued while drawing the attention of the government to take up concrete measures to prevent similar situations in future.

CHURACHANDPUR: The incessant rainfall led to flash floods in Churachandpur district with major rivers, including Khuga (Tuitha), Lanva, Koite, Chiengkon, and Lailam, overflowing and causing widespread inundation.

As the downpour persists, drains throughout Churachandpur town are overwhelmed, resulting in water spilling onto roads and inundating town areas and nearby localities.

Local sources have expressed concern, stating, "If the rain continues at this rate, there is bound to be heavy flooding." The rainfall, which began sporadically on Monday, intensified significantly early on Tuesday morning.

KANGPOKPI: A loaded truck plunged into a gorge at Sinam village under the district, along NH 37 as the road caved in following a mudslide, around 10 am.

The truck travelling from Imphal to Jiribam fell into the gorge as the mudslides entrapped the truck and the road began to cave in.

The truck driver, Islammuddin and his assistant abandoned the vehicle moments before the landslide hit and nobody was injured.

A combined team of Assam Rifles, CRPF, and Manipur Police safely rescued both.