Flood forces closure of Manipur zoo; state reels under widespread disruption

IMPHAL — Following the closure of several government infrastructures due to the ongoing floods, the state authorities have ordered the temporary shutdown of the Manipur Zoological Garden (MZG) to visitors and the public after floodwaters entered the area in and around the zoo.

“In supersession of all previous orders in this regard, the Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba, Imphal, will remain closed to visitors/public with effect from September 17, 2025, until further notice due to flooding in and around the zoo,” stated MZG director L Biramangol Singh in an order.

Officials, however, confirmed that animal enclosures housing key wildlife species have not been affected by the flood.

Also read: Flood situation in Manipur still grim in valley districts

Situated at the foothills of the Langol range at Iroisemba on the outskirts of Imphal, the MZG is among the smallest zoos in India. Despite its size, the Central Zoo Authority categorises it as a medium zoo due to its diversity of birds and animals.

Only last month, the MZG, in collaboration with the India Turtle Conservation Programme, successfully conducted the first artificial incubation of Asian Giant Tortoises (Manouria emys phayrei) this year, with 28 hatchlings emerging from a single nest.

Meanwhile, the body of a person who went missing from a flood-affected fish farm in Mayang Imphal Chirai under Imphal West district on Thursday was recovered on Friday. The incident comes three days after a 70-year-old man from Kshetri Awang Leikai in Imphal East was swept away by the Iril River. His whereabouts remain untraced.

The flood has severely impacted essential infrastructure. One of the main water supply plants at Porompat in Imphal East—which caters to government offices and hospitals—has been shut down. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), a major state-run hospital in Imphal East, was also forced to evacuate patients to safer locations after floodwaters entered its premises.

Educational institutions were not spared. Schools, colleges, and universities were closed for two days before reopening on Wednesday, though attendance remained minimal as many homes and campuses are still inundated.

Already battered by months of turmoil and humanitarian challenges, Manipur is now reeling under widespread devastation caused by monsoon floods since Monday. Although floodwaters showed signs of receding on Friday, the situation remains grim across several valley districts.

In the hill districts of Senapati and Ukhrul, incessant rainfall over recent days triggered landslides, disrupting normal traffic. The Senapati district administration has issued an advisory stating that National Highway-102A (Ukhrul–Tolloi–Tadubi) will remain closed to all vehicles until further notice.