Imphal, September 16: Days of incessant rainfall have thrown life out of gear in Manipur, cutting off the several highways leading to the state capital Imphal with multiple landslides and submerging vital government offices and hospitals in Imphal East district.
As a precaution, the Manipur government has extended the closure of all educational institutions till September 17, citing continuing floods and landslides across districts.
The Meteorological Centre, Imphal, recorded the heaviest rainfall at Sainik School, Pangei (102.5 mm) in Imphal East, while Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Churachandpur, and Imphal received moderate rainfall. The downpour has increased the water volumes of major rivers, with the Water Resources Department reporting that the Thoubal River is flowing above the high flood level, while the Imphal River breached its banks at several locations in Imphal East.
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Floodwaters inundated the Deputy Commissioner’s Office complex, Porompat Police Station, and the District Revenue Office, crippling official work. The crisis extended to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), where water entered the premises, forcing authorities to take drastic measures.
In a circular issued Tuesday, the Medical Superintendent of JNIMS directed the immediate evacuation of all patients from wards and announced that no new admissions would be permitted until further notice. The order followed a sudden surge of floodwaters around the hospital complex.
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Meanwhile, rescue teams are struggling to locate a 70-year-old man swept away by the Iril River in Imphal East. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), aided by local volunteers and security forces, is continuing the search operation.
Authorities remain on alert, warning that more landslides and breaches could occur if heavy rainfall persists.
(Newmai News Network)