IMPHAL, June 1 : Heavy rainfall continues to lash Manipur as over 3300 villages have been completely inundated by flood. Thousands of families have been spending without electricity and basic amenities, and large numbers of people have been evacuated to safe places. Heart-wrenching scenes were seen as women, children and aged were taking shelter on the rooftops and safe places. Hundreds of volunteers , Assam Rifles , NDRF , SDRF , Arambai Tengol members Fire Brigade slogged braving through rain and heavy water to safely evacuate people.
Seven persons, mostly women and children, trapped at Kangla Siphai Litan Makhong were safely evacuated by two teams of SDRF. The team, which started at 9 PM on May 31 managed to reach the victims at 2.30 AM on Sunday. Using ropes, fighting heavy water current, the team members stood firm the whole night in complete darkness. The women were taking refuge by piling up bricks and other materials in a house. With the support of other volunteers, all have safely reached a community centre. Even though thousands of people have been evacuated, about 800 persons had to be evacuated in badges in extremely dangerous operations.
It is estimated that about 1000 houses must have been washed away, and over a hundred animals also perished in the flood. Landslides have been reported at Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Senapati, Ukhrul districts in about 20 places affecting traffic.
Volunteers worked hard to reinforce breaches of river banks at Maiba Khul , Khurai Heikrumakhong , Sanjenthong , Kontha Ahallup , New Checkon , Mahabali , Koirengei Thumbu Thong in Imphal and Makhrui village, Viewland, Vakho, Karong in Senapati District .
Hundreds of people helped by Assam Rifles, NDRF, SDRF, Fire Brigade, Police, and other agencies were working on the ground to help the affected people. The Nambul river, which flows into Loktak lake is flowing at flood level, and to control the water level, the Ithai barrage has been opened. Imphal, Kongba , Iril rivers which flow towards the southern parts of Manipur and further towards Myanmar are on rampage inundating large numbers of villages.
The government has advised people living along the Imphal River to evacuate to safer places as heavy rainfall is continuing. Power, telephone lines were snapped at various places hence there was no electricity in many places since Saturday. The water levels of all rivers were flowing above flood level, hence most roads were not safe for travel. Most government offices, including official residences of MLAs, officials, were among those inundated. The services of All India Radio was affected as it was flooded, and the office of Doordarshan was also affected.
Army and Assam Rifles launched Operation JalRahat 2 and managed to reach flood affected areas using boats. People were safely evacuated, and drinking water and food were distributed. Patients at JNIMS were also evacuated by Assam Rifles personnel and volunteers.
Troops of Assam Rifles were deployed with Quick Reaction Teams to the most affected locations in Porompat, Wangkhei , Sanjenthong, Palace Compound, New Checkon, Khurai Heikrumakhong , Heingang, Soibam Leikai, Wangkhei Angom Leikai, Nongmeibung Raj Bari, Imphal East district and adjoining areas in Imphal East and west districts of Manipur.
(UNI)
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