Major rivers overflow, one missing, 20K affected, JNIMS flooded
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 01 2025: Incessant heavy rainfall in the past few days triggered widespread floods and landslides across the state, affecting at least 103 localities and impacting nearly 20,000 people.

Key rivers crossed the danger levels, and overflowed at several locations while emergency responses have been stepped up throughout the state, according to the latest situation report issued by the state government on Sunday night.

Ground reports say that one person remain missing after being swept away by the floodwaters of Abulok River at Lairenkabi Mamang Leikai.

The missing person has been identified as Takhellambam Nongbal, a middle-aged resident of the area.

Major rivers overflow, one missing, 20K affected, JNIMS flooded

Search and rescue operations led by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and local volunteers were under way till the time of filing this report.

Besides the Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SDRF and fire service personnel, volunteers from Arambai Tenggol and the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) are also actively carrying out relief, rescue and evacuation efforts in the flood affected areas.

In a major disruption to health services, the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal East was flooded, forcing evacuation of patients to other hospitals, including the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

AR, Manipur Police, SDRF, NDRF, fire service, Arambai Tenggol, MMTA and local volunteers joined hands in the evacuation.

Medical services have been severely affected and routine surgeries postponed.

In a statement, JNIMS medical superintendent Prof Kh Lokeshwar said that operations will resume only after the flood situation improves.

Kongba River overflowed at several points, flooding localities such as Kongba Nandeibam Leikai, Thangjam Leirak, Bamon Leikai and Khongman Mangjil.

Meanwhile, efforts to repair the Imphal River bank, which breached at Khurai Heikrumakhong on Saturday, remained futile, leading to inundation of residential pockets.

Floodwaters swept into Khurai, Porompat, Soibam Leikai, Wangkhei Khunou, Ayangpalli road, the Doordarshan Kendra office, Porompat police station, Imphal East DC Complex and several other government offices in Porompat.

A similar situation is also reported in Heingang Mayai Leikai, where the repaired portion of the Imphal River bank breached again on Sunday.

Large parts of Heingang, including Heingang police station, Ahallup, Laipham Khunou and Pandon, are flooded.

Naga nullah also overflowed on Sunday evening, flooding the Kanglapat stretch up to LIC crossing and the DM University campus.

Raj Bhavan was also inundated, with security personnel seen pumping out water while restricting movement on one side of the road up to Keishampat.

Nambul River's water level rose rapidly on Saturday night, causing further concerns as water overflowed in several locations, flooding parts of Uripok.

Affected sites include Cheirap Court Complex, portions of BT Road under the Flyover Bridge, Uripok Tourangbam Leikai, Uripok Khoisnam Leikai, Khaidem Leikai, Ningthoukhongjam Leirak and Achom Leikai.

Water has also started seeping in from Sarnushang Uku, entering areas like Lamboi Khongnangkhong and Iroisemba.

Major rivers overflow, one missing, 20K affected, JNIMS flooded

A section of the road near Naoremthong Sarnushang Uku, where PHED had recently laid underground sewer pipes, caved in.

Authorities were engaged in filling up the sunken portions by enforcing a roadblock at Naoremthong Laishram Leirak.

Overflow from Nambul River was also reported along the Takyel Khongbal stretch.

However, local residents responded swiftly and blocked the flow as of now.

Several areas in Sagolband, including Meino Leirak, Moirang Leirak, Bijoy Govinda and the Thangapat stretch, were also inundated due to overflow of Nambul River.

Meanwhile, the latest situation report issued by the state government on Sunday night informed that the at least 103 localities have been affected so far impacting nearly 20,000 people, major rivers breached danger levels and emergency response intensified across the state.

As of 8 pm on Sunday, a total of 19,811 people have been affected by the disaster, including 10,009 in the last 24 hours.

The number of affected localities has risen to 103, with 49 newly impacted areas reported since Saturday.

Authorities issued a correction stating that the previously reported figure of 3,301 affected localities was inaccurate, and the correct total is 54 prior to Sunday's additions.

Although no deaths or missing persons have been reported, two individuals sustained injuries and 64 livestock perished.

The number of damaged houses has reached 3,365, with 1,401 of those reported in the last 24 hours alone.

A total of 1,599 people have been evacuated so far, and 31 relief camps are currently operational across the state.

In addition to human impact, at.least 11.8 hectares of crop land have been affected.

Moreover, 33 new landslide incidents were reported in the past 24 hours, bringing the Total to 47, while 14 instances of infrastructure damage were also recorded.

Relief efforts are ongoing, with deployment of NDRF, SDRF, and state policy, fire services and public volunteers.

Indian Army and paramilitary forces have also been pressed into service, while three medical relief camps have been set up to assist affected residents.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, the water resources department reported alarming water levels across major rivers.

The Imphal River at Minuthong measured 788.175 metres above mean sea level, well above its flood mark of 786.9 metres and close to high flood level of 788.400 metres.

However, Imphal River is flowing at 783.200 metres above the high flood level of 782.850 metres at Lilong.

Similar flow of water were recorded in Iril River at Irilbung, and Nambul River at Hump Bridge flowing near the high flood level.

Nambol River overflowed throughout the day, while Manipur River at Ithai is just three centimetres below the high flood level.

In response, four gates each of Ithai barrage, and Imphal barrage have been fully opened and one gate each remained close to manage the rising waters, while only gate number III of Thoubal barrage is opened.

Samushang regulator remains fully closed.

Rainfall intensity was highest in Saikul, Kangpokpi, and Lamphel, with Jiribam also recording significant rainfall after a dry spell.

Landslides continue to pose serious threats, with 47 incidents reported so far, including 33 in the last 24 hours.

Authorities have urged the public to stay vigilant and contact the Main Flood Control Room at Khoyathong for updates and assistance by dialling 9774660984.Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, accompanied by Chief Secretary PK Singh and other senior officials, visited Kangla Nongpok Thong, Lairikyengbam Leikai, and Singjamei Bridge in Imphal and assessed the overall situation, a Raj Bhavan statement said.

During the visit, the Governor instructed the officials to monitor the river situation closely and to implement pre-emptive measures, the Raj Bhavan statement said, adding that directions have been given to deputy commissioners to arrange for evacuation and temporary relief measures for the affected people.