Incessant rain swells the Twilang river, submerges many paddy fields

Heavy rainfall in Kangpokpi district resulted in raising the water level in most of the rivers, especially in the Twilang area causing havoc and panic among the people since Friday night.

Twilang river has been dangerously swelling and widening with high current since Friday submerging many paddy fields.

A villager from Gelnal village said that a large area of paddy fields have already been submerged in Gelnal area especially in Ngakrapat and Pathajao by the swelling river. He added, “Though it is an odd season of sowing rice, we are apprehensive of whether we could be able to cultivate the field at the time of rice sowing season owing to the heavy inundation of the paddy fields.

The swelling river has reportedly inundated more than 15 acres of paddy fields belonging to Khupngam Khongsai, Janglal Khongsai, Ngulhao Khongsai, Jangmang Khongsai, and Helmang Khongsai in Gelnal village.

Another villager from Naibet reported that even small rivers and tributaries in Naibet and Tapon are swelling above the danger level.

The river has also been seen dangerously swelling and widening at Tujang Vaichong Sub Divisional Headquarters as the water is flowing beyond the bridge pillars.

A resident of T Vaichong said that if the river is swelling and widening this much at T. Vaichong, the fate of the Chalwa and Wakotphai area could be in danger. He also said that if it continues to rain further incessantly for a few more days, there could be a heavy disaster in the area including the inundation of all the paddy fields which are the sole livelihood of the people.

The heavy rainfall also reportedly triggered landslides at various places in the area. The swelling Twilang river also damaged and wash away a portion of the main bailey bridge connecting Wakotphai and Phoikon village.

Meanwhile, the Gundung river passing through Kangpokpi District Headquarters has also been swelling since Friday night.