Kongba River bank breached; Nambol, Jiri inundated
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 02 2025: Even as various residential pockets in Imphal East district continued to face the pre-monsoon wrath after the Imphal River and Nambul River breached their banks, the Kongba River overflowed on Monday morning amid desperate measures to strengthen the banks.

At dawn, the Kongba River breached its banks stretching up to 50 metres, inundating the nearby areas.

Meanwhile, the Imphal River is still flowing above the high flood level mark, as rainfall continues in Kangpokpi district, the catchment area of the river.

Both Nambul and Nambol rivers are also flowing above the flood level mark.

The Nambol River overflowed at Mongjing Leikai, Makha Leikai, Kongkham Awang Mayai and Makha Leikai.

Kongba River bank breached; Nambol, Jiri inundated

Local residents, who worked hard to mend the banks, expressed concern that if the rain continues, the situation could get worse and more areas would be flooded.

Rescue efforts continued as teams of MSF and AMUCO worked to rescue a visually-impaired, elderly patient undergoing dialysis, from a flooded house in Wangkhei Yonglan Leirak.

Teams of Manipur Fire Service, MSF and AMUCO also worked together to rescue students stranded at JNIMS along with the staff of JNIMS Blood Bank.

Security forces along with NDRF, Arambai Tenggol (AT) members, Manipur Fire Service personnel, MMTA and voluntary organisations are also engaged in rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the river near Sawombung Bridge also overflowed its banks.

However, the locals acted in a timely manner, stacking earth over the embankment, to prevent the area from flooding.

Several areas continue to be inundated due to waters flowing in from Heingang Mayai Leikai and Khurai Heikrumakong.

Several places in Khurai along Imphal-Ukhrul road continue to remain flooded.

In this regard, a report released by the Flood Control Cell on Monday evening informed that the Imphal River is currently flowing below the high flood level mark at 787.450 metres above mean sea level at Minuthong, while the water is flowing above the high flood level near Lilong Bridge.

The report said the Nambul River is flowing at a high flood level of 782.925 metres with Nambol River also flowing above the overflow level, and flow of the Iril River put at 787.950 metres.

On the other hand, four of five gates of the Ithai Barrage are still open and the water is flowing below the warning level at 769.10 metres.

The emergency control room (0385-2451550) opened by Water Resources Department may be contacted for flood and rain related issues, a release by the Department notified.

Meanwhile, as part of flood control measures taken up by the state government, a team led by Manipur Fire Service director L Nabachandra Singh rescued 513 people from Koirengei, Maiba Khul, Khurai Konsam Leikai, Sanjenthong Officer Colony, New Checkon, Heingang Lai Haraopham, Kongpal Chingangbam Leikai, Khurai Heigrumakhong, JNIMS Hospital, Kongpal AAA ground, Nogmeibung, Wangkhei Nahakpam Colony, Porompat near DC Office, Karkinos Cancer Hospital Porompat, Porompat TV Tower, Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Khurai Kongpal, Thambalkhong and Kongpal Mamang Sabal Leikai, and shifted them to safer locations.

Around 51 patients from JNIMS were shifted from the hospital to RIMS in ambulances.

On top of this, the team worked together with JNIMS Hospital authority to transfer the blood units to RIMS.

The Department utilised three inflatable boats, one ambulance and manpower (61) in the rescue operations, a release by the Control Room of Manipur Fire Service Headquarters informed.

According to a daily situation report released by the director of Relief and Disaster Management, a total of 56,516 people in 174 places were affected by the floods, based on data obtained till 7.30 pm Monday.

Around 10,477 houses have been damaged and 2913 people evacuated to safer locations.

Around 64.31 hectares of farmland have been affected.

A total of 46 landslides occurred, bringing the total number of landslides till date to 93.One person is still missing while four others were injured.

As per the latest official flood bulletin of State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) on Monday, Manipur recorded its first fatality in the on-going flood and landslide crisis, even as the number of affected people surged to 21,841 across 118 villages and localities.

The state continues to reel under the impact of heavy to moderate rainfall, with 15 more localities newly affected on Monday.

The situation remains severe in several districts with reports of landslides, house damage, and infrastructure losses.

So far, one death and two injuries have been reported, while 64 animals have perished.

Around 4,164 houses have been damaged, with 799 in the past 24 hours.

A total of 1,599 people have been evacuated.

58 landslides including 11 new incidents have been reported, with 17 reported cases of infrastructure damages and 11.8 hectares of crop damage.

Relief operations have expanded with 32 relief camps now operational.

Medical relief camps have also increased to seven, providing emergency health support in flood-affected areas.

Relief materials continue to be distributed in the impacted zones, the bulletin conveyed.

Meanwhile, the Jiri River also overflowed its bank on Sunday, resulting in flash floods and sweeping away many houses in Kamaranga Muslim village in Hilghat GP .

The village is closely located to the river, making it susceptible to flooding every year.

At present, 35 houses in the village are flooded and unsafe to enter.

Around 207 people are staying at the relief camp opened in Kamaranga Muslim Youth Club but were later shifted to Kamaranga Government-aided Lower Primary School, as per the instructions of the DC.

Although the water level has receded, the situation continues to be perilous as rainfall persisted.

The district administration, Jiribam MLA and chairman of Administrative Committee Hilghat GP have extended monetary aid and food items to the relief camp.

On the other hand, many drains on both sides of NH-37 have been blocked due to the on-going expansion work of the highway.

This has resulted in the water pooling in the fields and grounds and inundating nearby houses.

In response to the situation, efforts were taken up by the chairman of Administrative Committee Hilghat GP deploying an earth excavator (JCB) to clear the drains in the area to prevent further flooding.

The Imphal River also breached its bank near the oil pump between Hayel and Hangoon, inundating Mayai Lambi.

The bank on the western side of the river has been breached by around 30 feet, flooding 10 houses nearby and fish farms located on the western side of Mayai Lambi.

Although locals of Uchiwa worked with AT Unit-25 and local volunteers to repair the bank from 7pm Sunday, another breach occurred around 2:10am Monday flooding houses and fish farms in the area.

As such, a trench of 10 feet was dug on NH-137 (A) along Mayang Imphal and Wabagai road to divert the flood waters.

Later, the local MLA along with PRI members, Mayang Imphal police personnel and local volunteers worked to plug the breached bank, completing the task by Monday evening.

The 10 feet trench was also installed with culverts, restoring movement on the road.

Water Resources commissioner Ningthoujam Geoffrey and EE Laishram Mohenjo along with department officials also arrived at the scene to oversee the repair work.