“Singda Dam water could last another 20 days”
IMPHAL, April 26: As a result of global warming, water scarcity has affected the state in the last few days. This was stated by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) Minister Ngamthang Haokip while on a surprised visit to Singda Dam along with PHED officials.
During his visit to inspect and witness the water level, the PHED minister was informed that the state has enough water for 20 days.
“We still have 1525 million litres of water in the dam which is enough to supply for 20 days because according to the PHED officials 18.16 million litres are supplied in a day and 23 cubic metre of water level decrease every day. During last many years during such conditions, the dam always had 9697 million litres of water except 2008 when we faced severe water scarcity with the water level drooping to the dept storage level,” the IFCD minister briefed the media.
He said that they will ration the water in the next 20 days and wait for the monsoons. Rain is forecasted in the state and we have high chances of rainfall soon.
Appealing people to not panic and worry about the water, he assured that the state government would provide enough water for people because there is sufficient water in the Khuga dam and other water bodies at Churachandpur.
If necessary the cost will be borne by the government while rationing water to people through PHED, he said, adding that under the guidance of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi the state government has taken up concrete fencing construction around the Singda Dam area with a path near the fencing.
He said that the problem we are facing today are caused by deforestation in the catchment areas of Singda Dam and destroying new plants before germinating inside the catchment area by people while collecting fire woods for household purposes.
“The earth work for the fencing has started in the last few days. Until the erection of the fencing, police personnel will conduct patrolling in the area round the clock. So, a separate police outpost has been opened in the area,” he said.
When two lakhs of saplings will grow big along with the previous plants of the catchment area there will be no such crisis in the area. In that time, the catchment area will be a bushy jungle with a green forest and we will get enough water in Singda dam, he added.
He stated that the state government has planned to develop Singda Dam as one of the tourist spots of the state in future.
IFCD minister Ngamthang has given the responsibility of the beautification of Singda dam to executive engineer of PHED, L Tamumacha.