UKHRUL: Flash floods triggered by intense and incessant rainfall have severely damaged paddy fields along the banks of the Lanye River in Jessami, posing a serious threat to the livelihoods and food security of farming communities dependent on the fertile riverbank fields.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Imphal, the area received 91.6 mm of rainfall, contributing to a sharp rise in the river level and washing away large stretches of cultivated land.
The flooding has affected farmers at a crucial stage of the cultivation season, raising concerns over crop losses and the economic impact on households that rely primarily on agriculture.
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Commenting on the incident, Dr. Weyepe N. Mekrishu, a specialist in watershed and springshed management, said one of the factors contributing to the flash floods could be the indiscriminate dumping of excavated earth along hillsides during the ongoing construction of National Highway-202.
According to Dr. Mekrishu, the affected hillsides form part of the larger Lanye River watershed. During heavy rainfall, loose soil and debris are carried into the river, increasing the sediment load and raising the riverbed. This, he explained, reduces the river’s carrying capacity, disrupts its natural flow and makes it more susceptible to overflowing during periods of intense rainfall.
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“The increased sedimentation has reduced the river’s ability to carry floodwaters, resulting in flash floods that have caused extensive damage to paddy fields along the riverbanks,” he said.
Dr. Mekrishu also stressed the need for stronger environmental safeguards during infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas. He called for better watershed management, proper disposal of excavated materials and measures to prevent soil erosion to minimise the impact of future floods.
Local residents have appealed to the authorities to assess the damage and provide timely assistance to affected farmers, many of whom have lost a significant portion of their standing paddy crop.
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