RDM Principal Secretary Manipur appeals Centre

Our Correspondent Imphal, July 19 (EMN): Manipur state suffered a loss of around Rs. 213.71 crores in the floods since cyclone Mora hit the state in May end this year, according to an official source here today. Stating that the flood is still continuing and figures may go up, Principal Secretary (Relief and Disaster Management) MH Khan in an official memorandum to Union Home affairs Ministry, requested to sanction the revised figure of Rs. 213.71 crores as damage assessment for Manipur till July 15. Manipur has been suffering from flash floods and landslides due to intense rainfall after Cyclone Mora, which hit the state. Thus it leads to flooding at many places along river banks in hills and valleys on May 31. This was later followed by torrential rains accompanied by strong wind lasted till mid-June and the situation continues to worsen both in the hills and valley areas when incessant rains began again during June end triggering landslides and sinking of highways. Considering the severity of the damages the state authority declared “state calamity” on July 3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his anguish over the situation arising due to floods in various parts of the Northeast and sent a five member inter-ministerial central team on July 13 to take stock of the flood crisis in Manipur for three days. According to memorandum state relief and disaster management department, 19 persons have lost their lives affecting nearly 85,226 hectares of agriculture land, 16,968 hectares of fish farms,19,095 houses,421 government infrastructures including 128 schools, 43 bridges and 35 market sheds till July 15. Meanwhile many flood affected villagers in the valley districts demanded sensitisation of their homestead and farmlands for their resettlement. “We’re expecting the necessary steps from our government for the resettlement,” said a housewife A Kamala who lives in the flood hit Takyelpat area,Imphal West district. Ayekpam Dilip (63) another flood affected resident presently staying shelter at a relief camps of Lamboikhongnangkhong also shared a similar sentiment. Chief Minister N Biren Singh speaking to media while distributing a total of Rs 1,084,1094 as compensation for the injured drivers and damages caused to trucks and LPG bullet tankers in different incidents which occurred on the National Highways between November 2016 and January 2017, here on Wednesday assured that necessary requirement will be provided to the needy people. Stating that there are reports of spreading diseases like Dengue, Japanese Encephalitis and Swine Flu in the state, he said the concerned department have been working day and night to check further spread in other areas.