IMPHAL, May 22: The state is on the brink of facing a major flood if water level of main rivers both in the valley and hills do not receded quickly, even as all the five floodgates of Ithai Barrage have been opened as a precautionary measure.
Water level of most rivers rose rapidly overnight following heavy downpour over the last few days.
According to the Control Room of Irrigation & Flood Control Department (IFCD), the water level of Imphal and Nambul rivers are flowing above the Highest Flood Level (HFL) at 6 pm today.
On the other hand, water from the Nambol River has overflowed, triggering panic to nearby residents while the water levels of Lilong and Thoubal rivers are also flowing above the warning levels.
The Highest Flood Level of Imphal and Nambul River is 788.400 mm and 783.675 mm respectively.
As water from the two rivers have leaked due to breaches along the embankments, the outflow of water have inundated residential houses at Uripok, Heingang, Sagolband, Khurai, Yaiskul, Singjamei areas. Residents were seen trying to block the water leakage by placing sand bags and logs.
With the water level of the rivers rising to an alarming stage, all the five floodgates of Ithai Barrage at Kumbi have been opened from 11.40 am today as a measure to prevent possible occurrence of flash flood.
Meanwhile, water from Singda Dam at Kangchup has started overflowing owing to the heavy rainfall.
This was informed to IFP by Pradhan of Lairenkabi-Kadangban Gram Panchayat N Boby Singh.
Officials of IFCD are closely monitoring the condition of the dam.
Meanwhile, keeping vigil round the clock, the state police force is also offering its service in combating with the ever rising water level which has already created a flood like situation. Emergency Flood control Room contact nos. 0385 – 2451550, 2452947, 2450195 were flashed at every possible medium including ‘whatsapp’ groups. Currently there are reports of breaches from river at many places of the state where the state forces irrespective of ranks and posts are doing their best to control the seepage. It is not only the state forces but also the locals who are part of the team trying to control the outflow.
The police force is also rendering spot awareness to the locals present on urgent steps to be taken up without waiting for the concerned authority to turn up. It is also learnt that a large section of Imphal river bank spanning around 100 feet has breached at Imphal Kyamgei Muslim Makha Leikai and state police personnel among others have rushed to the spot.