COCOMI slams Govt flood response
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 02 2025: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has launched a flood relief and emergency helpline at Lamlong Keithel, Khurai to assist those affected by the ongoing flood crisis in the state while strongly criticising the state government's alleged lacklustre response and calling for immediate action and structural reforms for a robust disaster management mechanism.

An eight-member COCOMI team led by its convenor conducted a field survey on Sunday across flood-affected areas and found extensive devastation.

The team came across many households submerged, shelter facilities inadequate, and several localities facing shortages of food, drinking water, and medicines.

In a press release issued Monday, COCOMI stated that despite repeated experiences with severe flooding and early warnings, the state government's disaster response continues to be sluggish, insufficient and poorly coordinated.

The Committee said that the failure of official mechanisms compelled civil society organisations and local volunteers to step in to conduct vital rescue and relief operations.

COCOMI has mobilised volunteers to support relief camps, conduct search and rescue missions, and distribute essential commodities and medical supplies.

The committee appealed to the public, private donors and unaffected state agencies to come forward with contributions in cash or kind to sustain these efforts.

The group has demanded that the government issues immediate Action Taken Reports from all agencies concerned, disclose the details of the relief package, and prepare a time-bound and transparent rehabilitation plan for displaced and affected people.

As part of long-term structural reforms, COCOMI has also urged the government to establish a permanent State Disaster Response Task Force with trained personnel capable of rapid deployment.

It recommended the creation of decentralised emergency response units in every district and sub-division and upgrading drainage and flood management infrastructure across vulnerable zones.

COCOMI further called for a digitalised, transparent relief tracking system with real-time public updates, annual pre-monsoon risk assessments and awareness drives, pre-allocation of emergency funds subject to public audits, and formal involvement of civil societies in disaster planning and operations.

Stating that collective effort is essential to alleviate the suffering of flood-hit communities, COCOMI encouraged citizens to donate, volunteer or seek help through its relief helpline at Lamlong Keithel.

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