AR troops lend a helping hand to flood victims
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 11 2010: Due to incessant rains over last week, there had been a drastic rise in the water level in Imphal River resulting in water flowing much above the flood level i.e.at 788.400 mtr in Minuthong River and 782.900 mtr in Lilong River respectively.

The speedy water current in the swollen rivers has resulted in weakening of the embankments at numerous places and also breach at one or two places.

This has caused flooding of several localities around Minuthong namely, Lamlong Bazar, Hafta Gola Patti, New Checkon, Palace Gate, Wangkhei and few others.

According to reports received from AR sources, the Assam Rifles being constantly in touch with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, had already placed its Flood Relief columns ex 39 Assam Rifles and 28 Assam Rifles under 9 Sector on a standby to encounter any adverse situation.

Relief being provided to the flood affected people

On afternoon of Saturday, 09 October 2010, two columns each of 39 Assam Rifles and 28 Assam Rifles were launched to address the compounding situation.

While, the column commanders quickly carried out survey of the area, established liaison with the local administration, the Assam Rifles troops carried out immediate rescue of the affected local populace.

Meanwhile, the breach in the river embankment had also been identified.

Brig Gajendra Prasad, VSM, DIG, 9 Sector Assam Rifles also visited the flood affected localities and personally monitored the progress of the flood relief activities.

Soon, a team of engineers from 57 Mountain Division alongwith two boats was also rushed to affected site.

The Engineer and Assam Rifle troops along with civil administration carried out plugging up the breach in the embankment.

The civil administration assisted promptly by providing dumper and sand bags.

Okram Henry from the local populace was instrumental in overall co-ordinating the rescue work from civil administration side.

Continuing their help from yesterday, Relief camps established by Chinga Post and Canchipur post 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under IGAR(S) at Hatta, New Checkon Road and Basikhong, provided a great amount of respite to the flood affected people of Hatta Golapati area.

Essential relief efforts were conducted, where more than 600 people were given medical aid and also distribution of food and drinking water by water tankers were provided to the needy people by the troops of Assam Rifles.

Two life saving boats were also provided by 9 Engrs Regt of 57 Mtn Divn, equally assisted by troops of 28 AR, which were used to save many stranded people from low lying areas of adversely flood affected Basikhong, where the rescue operations are still in progress.

The local people expressed deep gratitude and applauded the sincere efforts and assistance provided by the team of 28 Assam Rifles in this crucial period.

By evening, two Relief Camps were established at Hafta Gola Patti and New Chekhon localities each controlled by 28 and 39 Assam Rifles respectively.

The Relief Camps provided the locals with adhoc shelter, packed food, clean drinking water and medical aid round the clock.

On the first day itself, relief had been provided to approx 700 people of the affected localities.

The Relief activities were continued on the second day as well.

Reportedly, the situation has been contained and a decrease in the water level has also been noticed.

On the other hand, a similar breach in Thoubal river caused floods in Keibung and Moijing areas of Thoubal district.

Proactively, 15 Assam Rifles carried out flood relief effort in these villages.

The unit extended a helping hand by providing the flood affected families of the villages with adequate rations, drinking water and medicines.

Cooked food was also served to a strength of approximately 100 people.