Imphal, Manipur: Manipur is grappling with the aftermath of relentless torrential downpours, which have unleashed widespread flooding and triggered multiple landslides across the state. Officials on Sunday confirmed that a staggering 3,802 individuals have been impacted, and 883 homes have suffered damage over the past 48 hours, painting a grim picture of the unfolding crisis. Imphal East district, the state capital, has emerged as the epicentre of the devastation, with significant swathes of the city and its periphery submerged under water.
The furious assault of the monsoons led to the Imphal and Iril rivers breaching their embankments at several critical junctures, including Khurai, Heingang, and Checkon, exacerbating the flood situation. A state official, providing an update on the ground reality, stated, “At least 3,802 people have been affected and 883 houses damaged in the last 48 hours as a result of floods and landslides in the state.” The sheer scale of the damage underscores the ferocity of the recent weather event.
In a swift response to the escalating crisis, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles launched extensive rescue operations, successfully evacuating nearly 800 individuals from the treacherous flood-affected zones. The state also witnessed twelve recorded landslides, adding to the complexity of the relief efforts. The extreme weather has not been without its casualties, with two people sustaining injuries and a heartbreaking loss of 64 animals reported.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, accompanied by Chief Secretary PK Singh and other senior officials, undertook a firsthand assessment of the worst-hit localities. Their tour included crucial areas such as Kangla Nongpok Thong, Lairikyengbam Leikai, and Singjamei Bridge, providing a clear indication of the government’s commitment to understanding the ground realities. The Raj Bhavan later confirmed that the Governor issued immediate directives to officials, urging them to maintain a vigilant watch on river levels and to initiate prompt preventive measures to avert further damage.
The pervasive waterlogging has severely disrupted the functioning of several vital facilities, including All India Radio Imphal and the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, highlighting the extensive reach of the flooding. While a glimmer of hope emerged as water levels in some areas, notably Checkon and Wangkhei, showed signs of receding by Sunday morning, the situation in Khurai and Heingang remained precarious, with conditions still critical. Emergency measures, including the crucial reinforcement of embankments and meticulous evacuation planning, are presently underway as the region braces for continued rainfall, which poses an ongoing risk to life and property.
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