Just after 30 days, Manipur stares at flood situation again

OSR/Correspondents
IMPHAL, Jul 2: Just when Imphal and several other districts are recovering from a widespread flood that wreaked havoc in May end, intermittent rainfall since Monday has yet again swollen major rivers triggering flooding in different parts of the State.
The water level of several major rivers has breached warning level, and some rivers are overflowing causing flooding in areas of Imphal West, Imphal East, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts.
Houses & paddy fields flooded
While several roads in pockets of North AOC and Khoyathong were inundated with water, flash floods have affected parts of Imphal East today evening.
The affected areas in Imphal East include Haraorou, Sambei, Tangkham and Yumnam Khunou.
Imphal-Saikul road was waterlogged and around 300 acres of paddy fields and around 150 houses in the area have been flooded.
Water overflowing from Imphal River and Kangla Pat inundated areas of North AOC and Khoyathong. The water was at thigh level at 8 pm.
The Government is taking up steps to reinforce embankments of Imphal River, Kongba River and Iril River.
Water from Imphal River was seeping into Singjamei Kshetri Leikai, Monkhanglambi, Pebiya Pandit Leikai, Ningomthong and Bashikhong.
Excavators were used to reinforce weak river banks in the areas.
Locals in the area, meanwhile, have expressed disappointment and claimed that the earth deposited to reinforce the river embankment earlier during the May flood was removed by contractors recently weakening the embankment.
In Senapati, water overflowing from Iril River has submerged several acres of paddy fields and fish farms at Ngamju village belonging to around 80 families.
The village authority has drawn the attention of the Government to provide assistance and compensate the affected families.
Govt declares holidays
With the rainfall predicted to continue for at least 5 days, and anticipating an imminent widespread flooding once again, the State Government has declared a holiday on July 3 and July 4 for all schools, private, aided and Government owned  in the State.
Separately, July 3 has also been declared a holiday for all Government offices, Public Sector Undertakings/Corporations/Autonomous Bodies/Societies and financial institutes.
However, all Departments involved in rescue and relief operations and essential services, Home, Police, district administration, Relief and Disaster Management, Power, Health and Family Welfare, PHE, Water Resources, PWD, GAD, CAF&PD, Minor Irrigation, Forests, LDA etc shall remain open on July 3, said the Government.
Amount of rainfall received today
It may be noted here that the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Manipur for at least 5 days, from July 1 to July 5.
From 5 am to 5 pm today, Jiribam received 18 mm of rain while Imphal received 6-7 mm rainfall.
Rain gauge station at Raj Bhavan, Imphal recorded 6 mm of rain from 5 am to 5 pm.
During the same period, the rain gauge station at Lamphel recorded 7 mm rainfall.
Saikul and Litan recorded 6 mm rainfall.
Kangpokpi recorded 13 mm of rainfall from 5 am to 1 pm.
Relief & Disaster Management Minister inspects
As reports of rivers overflowing in different parts of Imphal emerged, Water Resource and Relief & Disaster Management Minister Awangbow Newmai inspected the situation at Kangla, Moirangkhom, Khuman Lampak, Ayang-pali Road, Khurai and other places in and around Imphal.
Awangbow said the incessant rainfall since Monday has affected many places. He also said that the State Government is putting in maximum effort to control the flood, and sought cooperation from the people to effectively tackle the flood problems.
Awangbow was accompanied by Additional Chief Engineer (Flood), Y Homendro Singh and other officials of the Department.
Water level of major rivers
Imphal River: The river was overflowing at Minuthong at 7 pm, and it was flowing above High Flood Level (HFL) at the Lilong gauge site.
The High Flood Level (HFL) is a reading above the Flood Level. It is the maximum level to which water could rise and run off during a flooding event.
The Imphal River's High Flood Level at Lilong is 782.200 metres, and the river was flowing above this level at 783.100 metres at 7 pm, according to data provided by the Water Resources Department.
Iril River: The river was flowing just 1.4 metres below the High Flood Level at Irilbung bridge gauge site at 6 pm.
The Iril River's HFL at Irilbung bridge is 789.200 m and the water was flowing at 787.800 m.
Nambul River: The water at Hump bridge was  nearly touching the High Flood Level at Hump bridge at 7 pm.
While the river's HFL at the Hump bridge is 783.673 m, water was flowing at 783.425 metres.
Nambol River: The river at Nambol bridge gauge site was also nearly touching the High Flood Level.
The river's HFL at Nambol bridge is 774.700 metres and the water was flowing at 774.200 metres at 7 pm.
Thoubal River: The river's High Flood Level at Thoubal bridge is 781.415 metres and the water was flowing at 776.025 metres at 7 pm.
Manipur River: The river's High Flood level at Ithai Barrage is 769.320 metres and the water was flowing at 768.250 metres at 7 pm.
Several reports late in the evening said that the Kongba River was overflowing.
Govt issues flood advisory
Even as the water level was rising in almost all rivers raising concern for widespread flood, the Secretariat of Relief and Disaster Management has issued flood advisory and emergency helplines.
Flood advisories issued
Follow traffic advisories issued, if any
Avoid staying in vulnerable structure
Avoid working in the fields during thunderstorm/lightning period
Take shelter in safe location during thunderstorm/lightning activities
Ensure proper mechanism to avoid runoff in case of rain
Provide mulch at the base of the crop to prevent soil and root damage
Propping of vegetable pandals recommended
Be updated
The Relief and Disaster Management further said all Deputy Commissioners shall promptly issue guidelines on precautions to be followed regarding floods, landslides, lightning, and thunderstorms, in order to mitigate calamity.
It said the State and District Control Rooms are operational 24x7 to facilitate distress or emergency calls during any emergencies or eventualities.
State and District Control Rooms with numbers
State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC)-1070/0385-2443441
Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)-112
Bishnupur Control Room-7001490194 & 84155913996
Chandel Control Room-8119934085
Churachandpur CR-8415052791
Imphal East CR-7085368633
Imphal West CR-8974675573
Senapati CR-7628992200
Kangpokpi CR-8132068622 & 6009048805
Pherzawl CR-7005132633
Tamenglong CR-9402816594
Jiribam CR-8794854167
Ukhrul CR-8730890392 & 9612484514
Thoubal CR-9862299290 & 7085165216
Kamjong CR-9366343133
Tengnoupal CR-9366556373
Kakching CR-6909159819
Noney CR-8130133717
Helpline numbers for Imphal West-7085648913, 8974675573, 7005184718, 8837422040, 9612192445, 8413973018, 7005357728 & 9383117237.
24x7 Control Room under Principal Secretary: 9233522822, 94852808419, 0385-2440028, 690952816
Areas affected by overflow of river water:
Areas of Kekrupat, Kangla, Moirangkhom, Khuman Lampak, Khurai, Lamlong, Kyamgei, Kairang, Yaiskul, Kshetrigao, New Checkon, Palace Compound, Wangkhei, Porompat, Mongba Hanba and Singjamei.