Leader Writer: Wangkheimayum Bhupendra Singh
Unlike last year, when the state was reeling under a drought like situation leaving farmers worried over their crops, the monsoons has surely arrived in the state this year, bringing relief from the heat as well as a couple of setbacks for the people to both rejoice over the relief from the heat as well as endure the setbacks. This year, the rain gods have been quite generous so far, and the state has continued to receive a fair share of rainfall. The generosity has been welcomed almost with open arms by the farmers and by all for bringing in some relief from the almost unbearable heat which about a fortnight or so ago had daunted even the strong-hearted from venturing outdoors. Nevertheless, it has also tagged along with it quite a few setbacks, which have outmatched the benefits, making monsoon a dreadful period in the state today. Artificial floods caused mainly because of clogged drainage system or poor drainage system during the monsoon have somehow become a ritual whenever it rains even if for a few minutes in the state capital and other valley districts today. Most roads and localities in the state capital remain submerged in water within a few hours of rain, affecting commuters and residents alike. Such artificial floods digs out a dozen or so problems whenever it comes along. In the absence of proper roadside footpaths along most of the inundated roads, pedestrians who have to pass along have to wade through the dirty water. The potholes only make it worse for the commuters when the roads are inundated. The numerous potholes get even more deadly during the monsoon. Then there is the garbage piled up along most road sides which float around whenever the roads are inundated. And adding up all these, the piled up garbage, clogged drain and the inundated roads could well provide a sure-fire recipe for diseases especially among the young ones. Frequent water inundation has also weakened the roads cutting off the life-span of the roads; and once the water level recedes back to normal, the roads are covered with slime making the roads slippery and hard for the motorists to drive. Flood water getting inside houses also badly affects the households.
The present mannerism of both the general public and the government in the state today, if we go by the present state of things, could be at the best summed up as more of talk and less of action. People talk and complain while government talks and provides assurance, even as a much desired change gets crushed underneath, which has become a vicious cycle on its own. People complain and the government assures and when it fails to deliver, it provides an alibi for the people to talk more and complain more, which again encourages the government to provide more assurance and so on. While complaining and providing assurances are two faces of the same coin, there are other means to solve these problems. For one, people could be made more aware of the problem and the factors that had led to the rise of such problems in the first place. Roadsides are not dumping grounds. People should stop dumping garbage on the roadside and make use of all the garbage collection agencies which can be seen at almost all localities of Imphal these days. Plastics waste impedes water follow in drains and nearby residents should ensure that plastic waste are not dumped into the drains so as to maintain the water flow. The authorities are there to ensure the welfare of the people and the state, and need to understand its responsibilities. Once a long term planning on the part of the government to deal with such artificial flood is chalk out and implemented fully to deal with the repulsive yet unavoidable experiences of wading through the flooded streets and trying to manoeuvre one’s vehicle in the slime and mud left on the roads after such floods, people could surely be encouraged towards believing in the assurances of the authorities for once.
The monsoon is a much awaited season everywhere; and there should be no reason as to why it should be any different in Manipur. The beauty of the land gets a major boost with the arrival of monsoon. The air gets cleaner after a rain-shower and the surrounding greenery looks even greener.