Torrential rain triggers flash floods in Manipur

Heavy rain since Tuesday led to flash floods in many parts of Manipur while landslides cut off many places in Ukhrul district from the rest of the state.

Torrential rain in the wake of cyclone Mora led to flooding at many places along river banks in Manipur’s hills and valleys on Wednesday.

A flooded part of Wangkhei area in Imphal after heavy rain since Tuesday. (HT PHOTO)

The state government declared half holiday from 2pm on account of flash floods while Imphal East district administration opened control rooms for attending to emergency and distress calls.

Although there were no human casualties, many localities in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Senapati districts faced flash flood after many rivers including Imphal, Sekmai, Wangjing and Senapati breached their banks at various locations in the morning. Rain and flash floods also destroyed standing crops in Kakching,Thoubal and Ukhrul districts.

Villagers in Riha in Ukhrul district vacated their houses after the water level in the Mapithel dam suddenly rose 10 feet.

Many villages in Ukhrul district have been cut off from the rest of the state after rain and reservoir water washed away an important culvert along Jessami-Ukhrul route at Shirui village, about 100 km north of Imphal while landslides were reported between Lunghar and Jorcheng-Phangrei areas in the district.

Strong winds and heavy showers lashed much of the state on Tuesday, damaging at least 23 houses at Lonpi village alone in Chandel district, about 75km south of state capital.

The Wangjing river burst its banks at Wangjing Sorokhaibam Leikai and Wangjing Khundrakpam flooding over 300 houses since Tuesday evening. The Sekmai river also breached its banks at Wabagai Thingel Leikai areas on Wednesday morning.

EOM