MPCC points finger at WRD officials
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19 2025: Asserting that the recent flood was manmade, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Keisham Meghachandra has demanded action against the concerned officials of the Water Resources Department for opening four gates of Thoubal Dam and causing untold property destruction in the State.

A Congress team led by MLA K Meghachandra accompanied by officials of the Water Resources Department inspected Thoubal (Mapithel) Dam today.

The WRD officials include the Chief Engineer, Addl Chief Engineer and Superintending Engineers.

After assessing the condition of the dam, the MPCC president said that on September 14, the four gates of the dam were opened all at once by 4 feet each due to flooding in the upstream area of the dam caused by heavy rainfall on September 12 and 13 according to a report by the WRD .

MPCC points finger at WRD officials

This sudden release of water led to a deluge in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West districts causing widespread destruction of homes, agricultural lands, fish farms etc, he alleged.

In Thoubal district, flood damage has been reported in Wangkhem AC, Heirok AC, Khangabok AC, Thoubal AC and Lilong AC.

After submerging large parts of Thoubal and Imphal East district, the released water from Mapithel Dam flowed into Imphal River significantly increasing the water level and finally breaching the banks at Wangoi Khaidem Leikai and inundating major portions of Wangoi and Mayang Imphal AC in Imphal West, said MLA K Meghachandra.

Terming it unfortunate, he went on to allege negligence and failure on the part of the Water Resources Department.

According to earlier forecasts and reports published by the Meteorological Department, the WRD should have known that the water level of the dam would definitely rise.

It appears that the WRD failed to study/analyse the rainfall received in the dam's catchment area.

However, it was also reported that the decision to release the water was taken after a detailed study at the EE level, said the MLA.

He maintained that such big decisions that can potentially cause disasters should be taken at the level of the Governor, Chief Secretary, WRD Commissioner etc.

The MPCC president claimed that the WRD's alleged failure to study the Meteorological Department's reports which highlighted the amount of expected rainfall, when it can be expected and other related details, has resulted in extensive loss of property and upended people's lives.

For large dams, the Central Water Commission sets rules and guidelines on how to release the water and regulate it in case of floods.

Saying that the four gates of Thoubal Dam were opened in violation of these regulations on September 14, he underscored the need to look into the matter.

Even if the WRD was compelled to release the water despite knowing that it would cause a deluge in the downstream areas, they should have informed the public through the District Administration via radio, newspapers and publicity drives.

It's unfortunate that the District Administration was not informed about the opening of the gates and the release of water, said K Meghachandra.

Accusing the top engineers in the WRD of shirking their responsibilities, he held them accountable for the destruction caused by the "man-made" flood.

Further, he demanded appropriate compensation for the flood affected families.

Highlighting the failure of the dam's management policy/program, he called upon the Government to take action against the concerned officials.