Imphal floods: People affected are to be moved to safer areas, says the Manipur minister

In addition, the minister said that in addition to the disaster and rescue teams working on the project, he has asked for the active involvement of volunteers to stop the Imphal River from overflowing and breaking at several points.

Awangbow Newmai, the Minister of Manipur Water Resources, Relief, and Disaster Management, stated on Wednesday that the primary causes of the flood in Imphal are either seepage, overflow, or breaches in the river bank.


In a statement to the media, the minister stated that the majority of Imphal is at risk since all of the city's rivers—including the six main ones—are above flood level and the water is overflowing, breaking the banks of the rivers.

The minister stated, "The state government's top priority is to relocate flood victims to safer places in flood-hit areas." The majority of the Imphal River has crossed the danger level, and over 2,000 people have already been evacuated. The remaining individuals have been relocated to relief camps and safer areas.

According to Newmai, there haven't been any confirmed deaths in the valley districts. However, the official said that one death at Senapati was attributed to landslides, while another death was attributed to drowning.

In addition, the minister said that in addition to the disaster and rescue teams working on the project, he has asked for the active involvement of volunteers to stop the Imphal River from overflowing and breaking at several points.

He added that 20 NDRF members from Arunachal Pradesh would soon be in Imphal and that 25 members of the National Disaster Response Force from Kohima had already arrived.

The Minister said that the state's extensive poppy plantations, encroachment on riverbanks, and deforestation are the causes of Manipur's extreme flooding.

He added that 420 square kilometers of trees are cut down annually and that if this continues for ten to fifteen years, the environment will become unbalanced.

In reaction to the catastrophic floods in the Singjamei area, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh visited the flood-affected villages in the Imphal West district and pledged government support.

According to him, authorities are working nonstop to guarantee safety, supply necessary supplies, and evacuate residents.