Houses damaged in landslides
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 10 2010: Even as most part of the valley area are reeling under the impact of flood, incessant rain has triggered landslides causing havoc to residents in the hills as well as along the foothills.

With continuous rainfall in the last 3-4 days causing immense loss of properties in Sadar Hills areas, Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai and Kuki Students' Organisation, saikul have made a joint appeal to Government agencies/departments to take up immediate relief and rehabilitation works to address the situation.

A joint statement of the Saikul bodies informed that water levels of Ithoi, Iril and Ichai rivers flowed above the danger level consequently flooding homes, standing properties and livestock in Saikul headquarters and adjoining areas.

A house at Bungte Chiru village tilts due to landslide

Among others Children Training Academy, a private school bore the brunt of the natural calamity with over 50 students and teachers trapped from october 8 morning till morning the next day until they were rescued by 36 Assam Rifles personnel and the locals, the statement informed.

Moreover, suspension bridge at Molkon Bazar over Ithoi river as well as similar structures built over the Iril river at Naphai, Tengkonphai and Tusam villages have been damaged thereby cutting off many villages from the Block HQs, detailed the joint statement.

Expressing fear that in case more rainfall continues in the next few hours loss of lives and properties could not be ruled out, the bodies made a fervent appeal to the Government agencies to act expeditiously.

According to a delayed report reaching here atleast six houses have been damaged in landslides that occurred unexpectedly in the morning of October 8 at Bungte Chiru village under Saitu Assembly Constituency of Senapati district.

The report said that out of the six houses, one has been destroyed beyond redemption while the five others have been partially damaged.

Chief of Bungte Chiru village Rihangkha Thanglen said properties worth around Rs 5 lakhs have been destroyed in the landslides.

Drawing the attention of the Government to do the needful, he also pointed out that extent of the devastation may be more if the retaining walls were not constructed in time.

On the other hand, landslides that occurred along the Langol foothill range following incessant rainfall during the last few days had affected residents of Tharon and Langol Tarung villages.

A team of Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency Development Forum (TACDF) Tribal Committee visited the affected sites to collect first hand report of the devastation and interacted with the affected families today.

Under the initiative of social worker Jyotin Waikhom, the Committee chairman Ajit Panmei handed over Rs 5000 to Amuba Golmei of Tharon village whose house was damaged by the landslide.

The team also visited the houses of Guanbilung Golmei, Dr Athui Gangmei and Chongpu Kom at Langol Tarung village, which have been partially damaged.

The Committee has urged the authority concerned to do the needful in this regard.