Many parts of Imphal still inundated, rain thins

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 3: Even as many parts of Imphal are still inundated with more than 2000 people rescued, a significant decrease in the amount of rainfall today has lowered the water level in major rivers bringing some hope.
While intermittent rainfall on Monday and Tuesday had caused major rivers to overflow and flood many parts of Imphal, most part of the day today (Wednesday) was sunny with light rain in the evening.
With the insignificant rainfall today, the swollen water of Imphal River, Iril River and Nambul River are receding slowly.
Water Resources and Relief & Disaster Management Minister Awangbow Newmai today said the first priority of the State Government is to relocate the flood victims to safer places.
At a press conference held at his New Secretariat Office, Awangbow said more than 2,000 people have been rescued from flood affected areas and relocated to safer locations.
He said efforts are on to prevent overflow and breach of Imphal river at various locations, he said.
Awangbow said 25 NDRF personnel from Kohima have reached Imphal, and another 20 from Arunachal Pradesh and equipment including boats are yet to reach Imphal.
The Minister said the flood in Manipur is a fallout of the widespread deforestation, mass poppy plantations and  encroachment on the river banks. Each year, around 420 square kilometres of forest are lost. If this goes on for 10 to 15 years, there will be severe imbalance of nature, he said.
He, however, maintained that the present flood is caused by overflowing or seepage or breach of river banks.
The rescue and relief operations require active participation of the locals, MLAs, Government authorities, police, NDRF, SDRF and paramilitary forces, Awangbow added.
Meanwhile, the Flood Control Room of the Water Resources Department at 6.27 pm today said there was no rainfall in Kangpokpi and Saikul.
The rain gauge stations at Raj Bhavan and Lamphel recorded 1 mm of rainfall till 6.27 pm today.
Jiribam received little to no rainfall today.
While the water in all major rivers are still at or above flood level, the water is receding, said the Flood Control Room.
It added there is no new breach of the rivers anywhere today, but the areas flooded yesterday  are still inundated.
Efforts are on to close a 30-feet long breach at Oinam Thingel. The strong current of water gushing out of the breach has caused flooding at areas near Singjamei Waikhom Leikai. Hundreds of houses in the area are still inundated.
Section of the National Highway-102 (Imphal-Moreh) from Singjamei Waikhom Leikai to Canchipur has been heavily inundated.
Rescue and relief operations are underway at several affected areas including Singjamei Oinam Thingel, Singjamei Sapam Leirak, Naorem Leikai and Kongpal Mamang Sabal Leikai.
People are being evacuated from the affected areas to safer locations.
State police, NDRF and personnel of other relief and rescue organisations are engaged in the operations.
At least 15 people have been rescued by the NDRF from Taretkhul, under Sagolmang police station.
Situation in places such as Moirangkhom, Yaiskul, Khurai Telipati, Checkon, Sanathong, Kyamgei Muslim Leikai has improved.