Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 18:
Incessant rainfall in the past few days have resulted in considerable rise in the water level of important rivers flowing across the State consequently leading to the department concerned canvassing personnel and material resources to meet any eventualities.
While reports have been culled of water level steadily rising in other parts of the State, Nambul river that flows through the capital city is in spate with officials describing the level as 'above warning' point.
other major rivers like Imphal and Iril too are scaling towards the warning level, said officials of Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) today.
Section Officer of the Department Tensubam Sharatchandra said when water level was last recorded at around 12 noon today Nambul river flowed at 784.30 metres warning level.
"If there is continuous rainfall at the catchment areas then there is strong possibility of this river touching the flood level," alarmed the official.
As pre-emptive measures to avert disastrous situation taking into account overcast conditions, the department's officials and staff are informed to be staying put at the Khoyathong head office assessing the water level from all its units across the state round the clock.
They also surveyed certain vulnerable section of river banks for strengthening it to avoid possibility of the river banks caving in due to strong current and when the water level rises.
Further conveying that five gates of Ithai barrage where most of the major rivers flow into were opened to minimize the volume of the rivers, he also said the department has already stored all flood fighting materials like bamboo chatai, empty cement bags in addition to stationing heavy vehicles for carriage of the men and materials.The level of water of the Iril River recorded at Irilbung stood at 784.100 metres.
Wile 779.925 metres and 785.325 metres respectively have been recorded at Lilong and Minuthong bridges of the Imphal River flow.
These figures are said to be below danger level at the current juncture but nevertheless inching gradually towards an alarming level in case rainfall continues.
IFCD experts also measured Thoubal river level at 775.500 at Mayang Imphal section.
Rise in the level of Imphal River and Iril River is attributed to rainfall in the catchment areas of Kangpokpi and Saikul respectively.