“We are assessing the damage caused by the flood… This is the worst flood Manipur has witnessed since 1988 and 2015,” said an official
TFM Desk
Incessant rain over the last 48 hours has wreaked havoc in Manipur, resulting in at least two deaths and leaving thousands inundated. Rescue operations are underway to evacuate those stranded in low-lying areas to higher ground.
An official from the state relief and disaster management said that almost all districts in Manipur have been affected by the flood, with Imphal East being the worst hit in the valley and Tamenglong in the hills. Most of the valley areas, particularly the Imphal East and West districts, are inundated by the overflowing Imphal River that runs through the heart of Imphal city.
Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey expressed deep concern and sadness over the damage to homes and properties in both the valley and hill districts. The constant rainfall from Cyclone Remal has severely disrupted the lives of people in the state.
“The low-lying areas of the valley and hill districts have been heavily submerged. Additionally, landslides on State and National Highways 37 and 2 have disrupted the main routes for transporting essential commodities, severely affecting their supply across the state,” said the Governor, urging all citizens to remain calm and refrain from panicking.
According to official sources, the deceased include a 34-year-old man who died due to a landslide on the Senapati-Thonglang Road, with three others injured and hospitalized in the same incident. An 83-year-old woman drowned in the Senapati River.
“We are assessing the damage caused by the flood. As of now, we are unable to provide an accurate figure of the damage. Our officials monitoring the rescue operations have yet to submit their assessment reports. However, this is the worst flood Manipur has witnessed since 1988 and 2015,” said the official.
A large number of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel are expected to arrive late this evening, along with equipment used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to assist in the ongoing rescue operations. A statement issued by the Assam Rifles indicated that with relief efforts required at multiple locations simultaneously, the civil administration requested the Indian Army and Assam Rifles to provide columns for carrying out rescue and relief operations on the night of May 28 and by 11 am on May 29.
The Indian Army and Assam Rifles mobilized multiple flood relief columns within an hour and carried out rescue and relief operations in Imphal City and Khuman Lampak in Imphal East district. Over 300 individuals have been rescued in the ongoing relief and rescue operations in Imphal by these security forces, the statement said.
Intense rainfall triggered landslides and mudslides along NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road). A loaded truck plunged into a gorge at Sinam village along this route due to torrential rains caused by Cyclone Remal, which made landfall in the state on May 27.
The truck was en route from Imphal to Jiribam. According to police in New Keithelmanbi. the truck driver Md Islammuddin from Yairipok, Thoubal district, and his assistant left the truck on the road when a landslide occurred, causing it to plummet into the gorge between K.Sinam Village and T.Laijang Village under the jurisdiction of New Keithelmanbi Police Station, Kangpokpi District.
No casualties were reported, but numerous vehicles were stranded as debris blocked the road, awaiting clearance by excavators.
Heavy rains and strong winds in Tamenglong District headquarters uprooted trees and damaged house roofs, disrupting normal life. Electricity and broadband services were severed due to the inclement weather.
Several districts, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Ukhrul, are facing flood-like situations, with waterlogging causing significant damage to public and private property in low-lying areas.
As a precautionary measure, the Manipur Government has issued a high alert and activated the Disaster Response Force (DRF) in areas threatened by flooding, particularly around the Semai barrage in Kakching district, where technical issues have prevented the lifting of barrage shutters.