Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday chaired a meeting with ministers, MLAs, chief secretary, security officials and all department officials to review the flood situation in the state while informing that 17 of the 18 breaches have been controlled.
“Chaired a meeting with Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, security officials and all department officials to review the flood situation in the state, while assessing the ongoing measures to provide necessary aid & assistance to the affected families,” the CM stated on his official Facebook page.
He further informed that “out of the 18 spots where the breach occurred in the embankments of rivers, 17 were sealed and the flooding in the surrounding areas have been successfully brought under control.”
The efforts to seal the remaining breach and the work to reinforce the embankments are underway, the CM added.
Meanwhile, the DIPR informed that the state has stepped up efforts and put in all available resources to control the flood in the State in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal. The SDRF teams along with teams from NDRF, Manipur Police, Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Fire Service, district administration, local authorities and local volunteers are carrying out rescue operations, the department stated.
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The Water Resources Department has been at the forefront in tackling breaches and overflows of key rivers flowing in the Imphal Valley, the DIPR added.
Breaches along the Imphal River embankments witnessed at various locations including at Heingang Chonthabi Leikai, Khabam Ibemcha High School Mapa, Kairang Awang Leikai, Kairang Kalam Mapa have been closed. The volunteers have also controlled overflow of water at various locations along the river at Heingang Khabam Lai Haraobam Mapa, Lairikyengbam Awang Leikai Salanthong, Maria Montessori School, Karam Langthabal (overflow and sliding).
Overflow along the river embankment of Imphal River at Kangla Nongpok Torban, Kairang Mayai Leikai (Abdul Rashid Mapa) and Kekrupat near Kangla Northern Gate (seepage and overflow) have been closed.
Various seepages, sliding, depression and erosion along the embankments of Imphal River have also been controlled. Seepages occurred at Janmasthan Hicham Yaichampat. Sliding and seepage occurred at Irong Mayai Leikai, Konchak Mayang Imphal. Sliding and depression occurred at Bengoon Lai Salam Mapa which has been controlled. Erosion and sliding occurred at Uchiwa Mayai Leikai and Uchiwa Heisnam Mapa, which have been controlled.
Blockages of flow by phumdi at Upstream of Sekmaijing Bridge RBB on Imphal River have also been cleared, the DIPR informed.
Nambul River also witnessed an overflow of water at Moiraningthou Leirak Mapa, Ahanthem Leikai and Huidrom Leikai D/S Pishumthong Bridge and a riverbank breach at Samurou Makha Leikai. Work to control and close the damages are in progress.
The overflow of the Tentha River at Tentha Khunou has already been controlled.
In Bishnupur district, breach of river embankment occurred at Thangtek (LBB) on Khabi River and at Naorem Maipaksana Mapa (LBB), S Samungou Mapa Kha-Jiri Mamang (Both LBB and RBB) along the Mayai Loukhong River.
A breach on the river bank of Nambol River at Nambol Naorem Makha Leikai has been plugged.
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Water overflow were also witnessed along the Leimakhong River at Kha-Jiri H Bishrup Mapa to Khwairakpam Lou Mapa (both LBB and RBB), Kha-Jiri Maning Leikai Maimom Mapa (LBB), Kha-Jiri Maning Leikai S Nabachandra Mapa to Mayai Loukhong (LBB and RBB).
The breach along Thongjaorok River at Khoijuma (on two locations) has been temporarily plugged.
Some portions have been provided temporary guide bund along the riverbank of Mayai Loukhong River at Kha-Jiri Ch Pramojini Lou Mapa to Khoidubi Mapa (LBB) and Kha-Jiri Khoinaobi Lou Mapa to Naorem Angou Lou Mapa (RBB) where there was water overflow.
Overflow at various locations along the Nambol River at Nambol Awang (LBB), Nambol Kongkham (RBB), Nambol Makha (LBB) and Nambol Naorem Mayai Leikai (RBB); along Kanakhong Stream at Nambol Komang (LBB and RBB); along Kak Stream at Maibam Chingmang (LBB and RBB); along Oinam River at Oinam Awang Leikai (LBB and RBB) and Oinam Mamang Leikai; along Khujairok River at Yumnam Khunou Maning Leikai (Both) and Yumnam Khunou Mamang Leikai (RBB) have been temporarily plugged.
Breach of river embankments, overflow and seepage at eight flood vulnerable areas of Keirao Menjor Mapa, Karam Langthabal, Laiphrakpam and Iram Siphai, D/S of Singjamei Bridge, D/S of Thumbuthong Bridge, Wangoo Laipham Mandop Mapa, Wangoo Laipham Sarat mapa, Wangoo Chairel and Wangoo Nongyaikhong Dam Makhong have also been controlled.
Various districts across Manipur continue to reel under flood following the continuous rainfall since Monday triggered by cyclone Remal, prompting the state government to initiate active rescue and relief operations.
Due to overflow of Imphal and Nambul rivers, the main market of Khwairamband Keithel and the Imphal City have been flooded. Other prominent areas of Imphal, such as Rajbhawan, Hotel Classic Grande, DM College campus, Johnstone School, Congress Bhawan and the Manipur Press Club, also experienced severe flooding.
The cyclone’s impact has been particularly severe in Imphal, where Raj Medicity hospital faced significant operational challenges due to flooding. The hospital’s ground floor was inundated following heavy rainfall, forcing the evacuation of patients to other facilities including RIMS, JNIMS, and several other hospitals.
In view of severe flooding caused by breaches in embankments along river banks, the government on Thursday declared a two-day public holiday for all state offices until May 31. Citizens have been urged to stay indoors unless faced with an emergency, according to a government directive.
The decision, sanctioned by the Governor, is in response to the incessant rainfall brought by Cyclone Remal, which has resulted in widespread flooding in Imphal West, Imphal East, Kangpokpi, Senapati, and Bishnupur districts.
Further, Manipur has taken proactive steps to enhance coordination in rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts. A 24x7 Control Room has been established at the Banquet Hall, 1st Bn Manipur Rifles, under the leadership of Arun Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary of the Manipur government. This Control Room aims to streamline communication and swiftly address the urgent requirements of those affected by the calamity.
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In parallel, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations in Manipur issued press releases regarding temporary alternate contact numbers for crucial helplines. Due to technical issues with the existing toll-free helpline number “1098” for Children, the public is urged to use the alternate mobile numbers “7005120197” or “8132953592” to access uninterrupted services from the Child Helpline.
Similarly, the toll-free helpline number “181” for Women is also temporarily down due to technical problems. As a temporary measure, individuals can contact the Women Helpline on the alternate mobile number “7005776144” to avail of essential services without interruption.
Citizens stranded in floodwaters can contact helpline numbers provided by their respective Deputy Commissioners. Additionally, centralised emergency helplines (09233522822, 09485280461, 0385-2440028, 06909525816, 0385-2912006) have been activated, involving civil, police, and security forces.
