Imphal, October 08 2010: Incessant rains over the past few days has thrown life out of gear in Manipur as the Met Office at Shillong predicted showers will continue for the next 48 hours in several parts of the north-east including the state.

State IFCD minister has alerted officials of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department of a possible flood in the state due to the continuous rains in the last three days.

The rains are under the influence of a low pressure at the Bay of Bengal that has developed into a depression and has been moving towards the north-east since Wednesday.

Owing to the downpour, the water level of the rivers in the state have risen rapidly.

As the water level is likely to cross the warning level tonight, the minister ordered officials of his department to open control rooms and and depute officials to remain overnight in the office, said minister, N Biren said.

The rainfall in the last two days is 88 mm and met officials predict continuation of the rains for the next few days.

So there is high possibility of the occurence floods at any place at any time, he alerted the officials.

Meanwhile lives in the state ground to a halt due to the continuous rains.

Inconveniences have been caused in the traffic movement.

Low-lying areas in Imphal city, like polo grounds, and inhabited areas too have been partially submerged with drains in the city overflowing.

Many houses on the side of Waishel Maril at Uripok, Sagolband, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa have been submerged by the overflowing rain water.

Traffic at the by-lanes at Thouda Babok Leikai, Irom Pukhri Mapal, Takhellambam Leikai, Khagempali, Nganappi Thong, Meino Leirak, Keishampat Thiyam Leirak, Hodam Leirak etc.

was severely affected as water flowed above the roads.

The rains have also affected standing crops even as paddy plants are ready to be harvested and many fields with cut paddy crops in Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal have been submerged.

As per agency reports based on the Met Office in Shillong, Imphal recorded 38 mm of rainfall today, Guwahati recorded 29 mm, Silchar 19 mm and Agartala 38 mm.

Moderate to heavy rain will occur over the northeastern states during next 48 hours, the Met Office here said.

The weatherman also said this was the 'last phase' of the monsoon, which is expected to withdraw by next week, in the region.

On the other hand, over 186 freight trucks leaving Jiribam for Imphal on NH-53 were stranded at Kambiron as heavy rains made the road inaccessible.

They left Jiribam yesterday with security escort, a police report said.

Another report said that a landslide occurred at Nungba area on the highway late yesterday evening and totally blocked the road.

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