Awangbow bats for lasting flood-control measures
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 02 2022: While noting that the earlier measures to address sunken or breached river banks do not last long, water resource and relief & disaster management minister Awangbow Newmai has stressed the need for using innovative techniques with proper study of soil condition in order to bring lasting solution to this perennial problem.

Minister Awangbow accompanied by Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan inspected vulnerable banks of Iril River and its tributaries namely Guru Pat stream and Yaralpat stream on Thursday.

The team inspected critical areas such as left bank of Iril river at Kshetri Awang Leikai, Top Khongnangkhong, Salaudin and Jalil section, Naharup Chandan Thongkhong, Khongjin Culvert Achouba and Saikhom point among others.

The team also inspected the stream flowing from Yaralpat to Guru Pat, which is about 5.5km in length and agreed to take up dredging work after the monsoon season.

Interacting with media persons on the sidelines, Awangbow said that the department will take up immediate measure to address the sunken parts of the river bank but it will not be a lasting solution.

Considering the condition of the bank where retaining walls have already been constructed, it is evident that retaining wall alone cannot be a solution to the problem.

It will need innovative techniques and expert study on soil condition for a permanent solution to avoid flooding and soil erosion during rainy season.

He also said that the department will submit a DPR to the ministry concerned after consulting with experts.

While stating that heavy rainfall posed threat of flood during last month as all the major rivers of the state flowed above danger level, Awangbow informed that the department took immediate measures to prevent flooding.

The department will initiate temporary measures to prevent breach of banks once the water level recedes to a manageable stage before the monsoon season sets in, he said, adding that the department has already identified vulnerable and critical areas.

The minister further informed that the department has received a modest fund from the ministry of Jal Shakti for taking up temporary measures.

However, the fund amount cannot cover all the rivers of the state and as such, the department will seek other sources of funding, he added.

MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan said that as Iril and Kongba rivers flow through Kshetrigao assembly constituency, people of the constituency are facing a threat of possible flood due to sunken parts of Iril River banks.

He then expressed hope that the minister will keep his word and take up necessary preventive measures at the earliest.

Additional chief engineer (flood) Y Homendro, SE Shahid Shah, and EE Remmei Ningthoujao along with some other officials of water resources department accompanied the minister and the MLA during their inspection visit.

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