Downpour continues to take heavy toll
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 09: Even as most part of the valley areas are reeling under the impact of flood, heavy rainfall that has been lashing all over the State for the last few days has triggered massive landslides in some hill areas of the State.

Flood wreaking havoc at Thoubal submerging roads and damaging houses following the incessant rainfall during the last few days

Although water level of the rivers and their tributaries flowing through the valley with exception to Kongba river is said to be receding, the overall flood situation in the State continued to remain grim for the third consecutive day with reports of inundation of more residential areas, paddy fields, fish farms and destruction of houses coming in from different parts.

Information received from the Flood Control Room of the IFC Department said though the water level of Imphal, Iril, Nambul and Thoubal rivers remained constant above the warning level when measured at around 6 am today, it started receding at the rate of 1-2 inches every hour since 7 am.

The measurement was made on the basis of the bridges over these rivers.

However, in the case of Kongba river, there is no sign of receding in its water level.

With inundation of the station complex of Doordarshan Kendra Imphal at Porompat and cable lines by rain and overflowing water from Kongba river, services of the station have been suspended from today.

On the other hand, apart from flooding most parts of the valley districts, incessant heavy rainfall over the last few days has triggered a massive landslide spreading over a distance of 1000 feet at Khongdei village, 40 kms from Maram village in Senapati district, leaving behind a trail of destruction to houses and food crops this afternoon.

According to Ph Apao, spokesperson of Poumei Naga Union, large tract of terrace cultivation land with ripe paddy crops belonging to around 300 households have been rendered useless with landslide debris scattered all over the places.

Apao estimated the total loss of paddy as 10,000 Tins.

The devastating landslide had also filled up the gorge that serves as a reservoir of the water flowing from the source of Iril river and the bridge over the river connecting Shirong and Khongdei swept away, Apao informed, adding that the landslide occurred at around 1.30 pm today.

He also drew the attention of the Government for providing necessary relief to the affected people just like being done for the flood affected people of the valley area.

Apao further informed that around 300 dwelling houses have been flattened in another landslide that occurred at a spot about one and half kilometres away from Tadubi along Tadubi-Ukhrul Road.

Meanwhile, according to an unofficial report, a 50-year old man identified as MV Tayeb Ali of Yairipok Changamdabi has been swept in the strong current of flood water while he was collecting woods flowing down the Thoubal river at Yairipok Changamdabi at around 10 am today.

Local people launched a manhunt for the swept away man.

But apart from recovering the cloth he had tied around his head and his sandal, the body could not be traced till late evening.

In another flood related incident, a 52-year old reportedly died after being bitten by a poisonous snake at Khoidumpat at around 1 pm today.

The man identified as Elangbam Doren of Hiyanglam Terapokpi was removing floating bio-mass from the lake when he was bitten by the snake.

Around 10 houses have been also reportedly swept in the swirling current of the flood water from the breaching Lilong Turel Ahanbi and apart from inundating around 500/600 Paris of paddy field.

The embankment of the swelling Lilong Turel Ahanbi caved in on its eastern side at Khongnangkhong Leikai area at around 7.45 pm even as the alerted local residents have been trying hard to prevent breaching of the river bank.

Four houses including that of one 65-year old Hajiabdulla were swept away in the first gush of the swirling current.

Fortunately no one was injured in the incident.

On hearing about the breaching of the river last night, people of the area rushed in from all direction and joined hands in trying to stop the flood water from flowing into the residential area.

Officials of the IFC Department and the local MLA were also informed immediately and a joint effort was made to prevent flooding till late in the evening today.

However, apart from erecting some bamboo poles and dumping of earth, flood water has not been able to stop from spilling and inundating the residential areas.

With water overflowing from the river continuously, over ten houses located on the path of the gushing water have been crumbled and swept away in the current till evening today.

Moreover, the flood water has also submerged around 500/600 paris of paddy field in Lilong Turel Ahanbi Sagol Loukon, destroying the standing crops that have been started flowering.

Most of the flood affected people have evacuated on the side of the Haoreibi Turel Ahanbi while others have taken shelter at the relief camps being set up at Lilong Tairen Makhong Primary School and Lilong Higher Secondary School.

Local MLA Helaluddin was seen personally supervising flood control measures being taken up in the area to prevent further breaching of the river bank.

He also distributed relief materials to the flood affected people.

MLA of Keirao A/C and MOBC Minister Md Allauddin also toured the flood affected area of his constituency today.

In Thoubal Assembly Constituency, which is the home turf of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, around 250 houses in and around Leishangthem Khong Mamang have been reportedly inundated with flood water while 60 others have been swept away apart from flooding fish farms and causing destruction to standing crops in the paddy field.

But the Chief Minister is yet to come and inspect the flood affected area, the flood victims of the area complained.

A team of officials led jointly by Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal District and SP in-charge Radheshyam also today went around to inspect the flood affected areas of the district like Keibung, Moijing, Wabagai Keirak and other inundated areas due to yesterday�s breaching of the Turel Ahanbi and distributed relief materials.

A water tanker of Thoubal Police was also pressed into service for providing safe drinking water to the flood victims.

Various social organisations are also contributing their mite in fighting against the flood havoc and in ameliorating the plight of the flood affected people.

Taking serious note of the flood situation, a meeting of the United Committee Manipur (UCM) was convened at the Kekrupat Construction Committee office today.

After a detailed discussion, the meeting decided to exert pressure on the Government and its related Departments for taking up necessary measures for providing immediate relief materials to the flood affected people.

UCM has also appealed to all its units in different parts of the State to extend every possible assistance in ameliorating the plight of the distressed people.

A team of MSF HQ led by its secretary organisation B Mujibullah Sheikh also inspected the flood affected areas of Lilong and Khangabok today and extended help in containing the flood.

AMUCO has set up a help line for the flood affected distressed people.

In case of needing food and clothing, flood victims may contact the telephone number 2444782. Meanwhile, All Manipur Minorities and Other Backward Classes Welfare Corporation Ltd; Uchekon Nongchup Gram Panchayat Development Committee; Ereipak Enaat Chanura Loinasinlon (EECHAL); Youth Development Association (Keirak Maning Leikai); United Youths� Progressive Organisation (Chumnang Awang Leikai); Rural Organisation for Social Elevation (Moijing); The Lainingthou Club (Khangabok Part-II Mayai Leikai); Athokpam Indoor Games Association (Thoubal Athokpam); The Moral Intellectual Renascent and Athletic Association (Bashikhong); Youth and Environmental Welfare Association (Arapti Mamang Leikai) have also appealed to the Government for providing necessary relief materials and other assistance to the flood affected people.