Northeast Desk, 31st May: In the wake of Cyclone Remal, incessant rainfall has led to severe flooding in Manipur, affecting a total of 1,88,143 people and damaging at least 24,265 houses, according to state officials.
Minister for Water Resources and Relief & Disaster Management Awangbou Newmai revealed that 18,103 people have been evacuated, and 56 relief camps have been established to aid those displaced by the floods.
In a Facebook post, Newmai stated, “Held a brief meeting with Additional Chief Secretary, Deputy Commissioner Imphal West & East, Directorate Relief and Disaster Management to review the flood situation, and strategizing for immediate action on relief, search and rescue operations.”
The floods have also impacted around 401 hectares of crops. Relief materials have been distributed across several affected regions, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Noney, Churachandpur, Senapati, and Kakching.
Newmai reported that three people have died, nine have been injured, and one person remains missing since the floods hit on May 29. Chief Minister N Biren Singh added in a social media post that breaches in river embankments occurred at 18 locations, of which 17 have been sealed. “Flooding in the surrounding areas has been successfully brought under control,” he stated.
Heavy rains and thunderstorms triggered by the cyclone have lashed the northeastern state over the past few days. In response to the severe flooding and embankment breaches, the government has declared a two-day public holiday for all state offices until May 31. An official notification urges citizens to stay indoors unless facing an emergency.