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Khurai MLA and Parliamentary Secy (Home) K Sushindro (centre) taking part in flood control activities on Wednesday in Manipur.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, May 31(EMN): As the severe cyclonic storm Mora reached India’s Northeast on Tuesday, in Manipur many places near the riverbanks both in hilly and valley area are flooded on Wednesday. Strong winds and heavy rainfall lashed the state on Tuesday, damaging at least 23 houses at Lonpi village and many houses at Anal Khunou both under Chandel district which is 75km away from the state capital.
Riha villagers in Ukhrul district vacated their houses after the Mapithel dam water level suddenly increases by 10 feet. Though there was no report of human casualty, many locals in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Chandel and Senapati districts faced flash flood after the major rivers including Imphal, Sekmai,Wangjing and Senapati rivers overflows and breaches at their riverbanks.
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Culvert bridge washed away at Shirui in Ukhrul.[/caption]
According to report, farming are also affected in Kakching,Thoubal and Ukhrul districts. Many villages in Ukhrul district has been reportedly cut from the rest of the state after rain and reservoir water washed away an important culvert along Jessami-Ukhrul route at Shirui village,about 100 km north of Imphal. Wangjing river banks had breached at Wangjing Sorokhaibam Leikai and Wangjing Khundrakpam flooding over 300 houses since Tuesday evening, Similarly Sekmai river bank also breached at Wabagai Thingel Leikai areas on Wednesday morning. Many residents of Singjamei Thokchom Leikai and Leishangthem Leikai under Singjamei constituency besides those under Khurai and Wangkhei constituencies have been struggling a lot in leveling the Imphal river banks along its Imphal sector to prevent overflow of river water. Rain water also washed away part of Chakpi river bank and stopped the movement of four wheeler vehicles.
Considering the situation, the state government had even declared half holiday from 2pm on account of “sudden flood” while Imphal East district administration has opened control rooms for attending to emergency and distress calls.
35 years old Ayetselo Wezah of Jessami village was reportedly washed away by the flash flood while he was sleeping in the paddy field hut. The accident took place at around 11 pm last night. According to the report, the water level of Thesii River suddenly increased and flooded in the area due to incessant rain. The search operation is going on by the villagers along with the police personnel from Jessami police station.
Heavy showers and gusty winds triggered by Cyclone ‘Mora’ lashed Mizoram disrupting power and telecommunication network, damaging houses and triggering landslides. However, there was no human casualty in the overnight rains and squally wind, which continued till today morning. Around 20 houses were partially damaged at Khawbung village bordering Myanmar while the roof of a district hospital ward was blown away in Siaha district forcing the patients to take shelter in the corridor. Disaster Management and Rehabilitation department officials said the rains had triggered landslides in many places.
Though most of the roads have been cleared today, a road on the southern outskirts of Aizawl was yet to be reopened, they said. An uprooted tree damaged a pastor’s bungalow in south Mizoram’s Serkawn village, the headquarters of the Baptist Church of Mizoram. The Mizoram Disaster Management Authority and the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation department had received a warning that the cyclone was most likely to lash Mizoram on Tuesday and Wednesday. People were advised to take precaution as the cyclone could trigger massive landslides and flash floods in the state. Cyclone ‘Mora’ made a landfall in Bangladesh yesterday killing at least six persons and damaging houses in the neighbouring country.
