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Manipur: Flood situation worsens after breaching, overflowing of rivers
The overflowing of the Imphal River has inundated localities in Singjamei and Langthabal, Imphal West, while water from the Iril River submerged many habitations in Kshetrigao, Wangkhei and Yaiskul in Imphal East
Imphal: The flood situation in Manipur due to incessant rainfall worsens after the breaching of Imphal River and overflowing of Iril River even though the water level of most of rivers are receding on Wednesday, people aware of the matter said.
The breaching of the Iril River at Kshetri Awang Leikai in Imphal East was reported around 6.30pm on Tuesday, while that of the Imphal River breaching at Oinam Thingel area in Imphal West district occurred around 12.30am on Wednesday, the people cited above said.
The overflowing of the Imphal River has inundated localities in Singjamei and Langthabal assembly constituency, Imphal West, while water from the Iril River submerged many habitations in Kshetrigao and Wangkhei assembly constituencies in Imphal East, said people.
In view of the development, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Red Cross Society, Loktak Development Authority, Assam Rifles and state police have been conducting relief and rescue operations since early Wednesday morning, officials said.
Officials said that the state government has set up a 24X7 control room with a view to improving coordination in rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts and swiftly addressing the requirements of the police affected by incessant rains and floods, landslides etc.
The control room shall be led by principal secretary Arunkumar Sinha. Relief camps are also opened. According to the directorate of environment and climate weather data recorded till 6pm of Wednesday, Noney district recorded 26.6mm rainfall while Imphal West district recorded 6.8mm rainfall against yesterday’s 39.8mm of rainfall.Senapati recorded 12.4mm of rain against yesterday’s 28.3mm of rainfall.
On Wednesday, chief minister N Biren Singh visited the flood-affected areas in Singjamei to take stock of the situation.
He shared a video of the inspection visit on X. “Visited the flood-affected zones at Singjamei and its surrounding areas. Necessary measures are being undertaken to assist the affected families while preparations are underway to tackle & address any eventualities. I urge all to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities for any issues and challenges,” he wrote.
Also Read: Manipur floods: 4 killed, 13 injured, over one lakh affected
Manipur water resources and relief and disaster management minister Awangbow Newmai, who visited flood-affected Waikhom leikai in Imphal West district, said the priority of the state government is to relocate the flood victims to safer places in flood hit area
On frequent flooding, he said it is a fallout of the widespread deforestation, encroachment on the river banks and mass poppy plantation. Each year 420 sq km annually are deforested and if this goes on for 10 to 15 years there will be an imbalance of nature,he said. He also inspected the Iril River overflow site at Sawombung Makha Leikai in Imphal East.
According to rainfall data maintained by Imphal Meteorological Centre, till 8.30am on Wednesday, Imphal airport recorded a rainfall of 36.6mm while Churachandpur recorded 16.8mm. Bishnupur and Tamenglong recorded 84.5mm and 49.3mm of rainfall, respectively.
Considering the present situation, the state government declared July 3 as a public holiday for all government offices, including Public Sector Undertakings/corporations/autonomous bodies/societies under the Government of Manipur.
Earlier, the directorate of education (S) had announced to close all schools in the state on July 3 and 4.
Meanwhile, Imphal West district collector Th Kirankumar issued a flood advisory. The major rivers in the district have touched the ‘warning level’ in the Imphal area and are about to touch the ‘flood level’, he said.
