Will strengthen vulnerable river banks: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 05 2024: Terming the flood that the state faced for the second time this year as unfortunate, chief minister N Biren said that the government is working on identifying river banks where water overflows and vulnerable spots which could breach.

As part of flood control measures, the government will raise or reinforce the riverbanks in those sites, he said.

CM Biren along with water resources minister Awangbow Newmai and Keirao MLA Lourembam Rameshwar visited flood affected areas of Keirao and Kshetrigao ACs and took stock of the situation on Friday.

"Assessed the measures to deliver immediate need of the affected households while identifying the vulnerable spots to reinforce the river embankments so that further overflowing of rivers may be prevented", the CM wrote on X.Meanwhile, interacting with the media during his visit, Biren said that the government recently distributed roofing sheets worth Rs 40 crore to the families affected by the hailstorm.

This is the second time the state is facing flood and it is occurring at such a time when the state is still recovering from the last one that happened only a month ago.

Fortunately, the damage this time is not as substantial as the last one, he said.

He appreciated the Imphal East DC, local volunteers, personnel of state police, IRB, VDF, home guards and Assam Rifles for their assistance in the relief and rescue operation.

Relief camps have been set up for the families displaced by the flood and the government will ensure provision of food and other basic needs to the affected people apart from compensation for the damages caused, he assured.

At the same time, the government has made necessary arrangements to compensate crop loss suffered by farmers in the last flood.

The compensation amount was supposed to be transferred to the respective bank accounts of the farmers through DBT during a mega event at City Convention Centre scheduled for July 3.However, the event was postponed in view of the flood and the government is planning for rescheduling the event as soon as possible, he said.

The CM appealed to all concerned to give up selfish motives and cultivate a sense of belongingness and civic sense.

Many of the river banks are affected while renovating roads without affecting the houses near the river banks and such practices resulted in weakening/lowering the level of river banks making them vulnerable to overflowing or breach.

There is a trend of elected members pursuing work orders for erecting bore piles and retaining wall construction in their respective constituencies, which otherwise should be handled by competent construction companies.

Such practices often resulted in compromising the quality of the works, and ultimately affects the people, he said and appealed to all to give up such practices.

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