Imphal, Manipur: Two days of unceasing, torrential downpours have sent river levels soaring across Manipur, prompting urgent safety advisories from authorities as life in the state capital grinds to a halt amidst severe waterlogging. The relentless monsoon fury has transformed thoroughfares into waterways and put emergency services on high alert.
The Imphal and Serou rivers, arteries of the valley region, are now dangerously swollen, a direct consequence of the continuous sheet of rain that has drenched the state. Border town Moreh bore the brunt, logging an astounding 102 millimetres of rainfall on Thursday, while Kamjong received 96 millimetres and Chandel 76 millimetres, as per data released by the India Meteorological Department’s Imphal centre.
The heart of the state capital is grappling with significant inundation. Commutes have become a nightmare through key areas like Kakwa, Thangmeiband, and Sagolband in Imphal West district, where several roads are submerged, rendering them almost impassable for vehicles and pedestrians alike.
The unfolding weather crisis has spurred district officials into immediate preventive action. The Deputy Commissioner of Senapati has issued a public notice, a stark warning to residents about the extreme weather conditions anticipated through June 3, including forecasts of thunderstorms, lightning, and powerful winds.
Local authorities are strongly urging the populace to defer all outdoor activities, including essential tasks like farming and fishing, until a noticeable improvement in weather conditions. The advisory specifically cautions against venturing out during periods of intense rainfall and explicitly recommends maintaining a safe distance from flood-prone zones, riverbanks, and precarious steep slopes.
Adding to the growing concerns, the Chandel District Police have released their own set of warnings regarding the Chakpi River, where water levels have escalated dramatically. Officials are appealing to residents to strictly avoid fishing or approaching the riverbanks, citing grave safety risks.
The meteorological department had, in fact, earlier issued a prediction for heavy rainfall across Manipur’s southern districts, encompassing Chandel, Churachandpur, Pherzawl, and parts of Kakching and Thoubal. Current weather patterns indicate that these challenging conditions are likely to persist for the foreseeable future.
Emergency response teams across the state remain poised for deployment, meticulously monitoring river levels and actively preparing for potential evacuations should the flooding situation deteriorate further. Residents residing in vulnerable areas have been advised to maintain a high state of vigilance and be ready for rapid and unforeseen changes in the prevailing conditions.
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