Flash floods destroy paddy fields, damage a key bridge in Manipur's Laii village, prompting urgent appeals for government assistance
DIMAPUR — Flash floods triggered by incessant rainfall have submerged vast stretches of newly transplanted paddy fields and damaged a key bridge in Laii village of Manipur's Senapati district, prompting the village authority to seek immediate government intervention.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Laii Village Authority Council said the Ngaorei (Laini) River, which originates in Ukhrul town and flows along the Ukhrul-Senapati border before entering Nagaland's Phek district and continuing into Myanmar, has crossed the danger mark following continuous heavy rainfall.
The council claimed that the flash flood destroyed approximately 80,000 to 90,000 tins of newly planted paddy fields in Laii village, putting this year's harvest at risk and causing severe hardship to the farming community.
It further stated that the only bridge connecting Laii village with Kharasom village in Ukhrul district has sustained foundation damage due to the strong river current, disrupting an important transport link.
Expressing concern over the lack of safe river crossings, the council said there is no hanging bridge for nearly 50 kilometres between Chingjaroi, Lower Phaibung and Laii village, forcing farmers and villagers to risk crossing the river during cultivation as well as for social and community events.
The village authority appealed to the Manipur government to conduct an immediate assessment of the crop damage and provide compensation to affected farmers.
It also urged the government to repair the damaged bridge connecting Laii and Kharasom villages without delay and sanction the construction of a hanging bridge between Chingjaroi, Lower Phaibung and Laii village on priority to ensure public safety and improve connectivity.