Imphal: Churachandpur district in Manipur is reeling under the impact of intense rainfall that began on the afternoon of July 8 and has shown no signs of abating. Continuous downpours through the night and well into the next day have plunged the region into a flood-like situation, disrupting normal life and forcing communities into crisis mode.
Among the worst-affected areas is the arterial Tedim Road, a vital lifeline for transport and commerce, now submerged under rising water. Tuibong Market, another busy hub, has also been inundated, bringing daily business to a grinding halt and stranding local residents.
The situation has escalated sharply due to the swelling Lanva River, which has spilled over and flooded multiple villages between Pearsonmun and Mualkoi. Meanwhile, the Tuitha River has unleashed widespread destruction, submerging at least 115 houses across several localities including Neihsial Veng, Kerith, Zoumunuam, PCI Colony, New Zouveng, and Nazareth. Families from these areas have been forced to flee, taking refuge in nearby community centres set up for emergency shelter.
In Zoumunuam village, the river’s waters have reached the level of the suspension bridge, a grim indicator of the extent of the flooding and the looming threat to critical infrastructure.
With heavy rains forecast to continue, the region remains on high alert. District officials have urged residents in vulnerable zones to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to safety advisories. Emergency services have been mobilised to provide aid, but the scale of the flooding poses a significant challenge.
As the community grapples with the unfolding crisis, attention now turns to the immediate need for coordinated relief, while questions rise over long-term resilience planning in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather events.