Severe Flooding in Manipur Claims First Life Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts
Flooding Crisis in Manipur
Imphal, June 4: The recent flooding in Manipur has resulted in its first reported fatality, with the body of a 55-year-old man discovered on Tuesday.
The deceased, identified as Takhellambam Ibochouba from Leirenkabi in the Imphal West district, was swept away by the Abulok River on Sunday.
Officials reported that the flash floods, caused by the breaching of the Imphal and Kongba rivers at various points and the overflow of the Imphal and Nambul rivers, have impacted over 160,000 individuals statewide.
According to the latest update from the State Relief and Disaster Management Authority, floodwaters have caused damage to approximately 35,193 homes and 52 public infrastructures across 643 areas.
In a hopeful turn of events, rainfall subsided in most regions of the state on Wednesday, offering some respite to those affected and allowing authorities to ramp up rescue and relief efforts.
As a result, water levels in three major rivers—Imphal, Iril, and Nambul—have started to decline, as per recent reports.
To date, 3,917 individuals have been relocated to safer areas, with many finding shelter in 77 relief camps set up in the impacted regions.
The continuous rainfall over the last five days has also led to 102 landslides, significantly affecting the districts of Imphal East, Senapati, and Imphal West.
The healthcare system in the state has faced a significant challenge, with the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal temporarily closed due to severe flooding on its premises.
A public notice from Medical Superintendent Prof. Kh Lokeshwar Singh on Tuesday highlighted safety concerns for patients, healthcare staff, and hospital facilities as the reason for the closure.
Despite the reduction in rainfall, several critical areas in Imphal East—including the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the Superintendent of Police premises, and large sections of the JNIMS hospital—along with adjacent residential neighborhoods and agricultural land, remain submerged.
State officials are actively working to manage the crisis, concentrating on relief, rescue, and the restoration of essential services.