Heavy rains trigger landslides in Manipur, rivers in spate

Continuous heavy downpour in Manipur has triggered landslides along the mountainous national highways, suspending vehicular movement in the state, officials said on Sunday.

Two landslides at Sinam village in Tamenglog district have dislocated traffic along NH 37 as Border Roads Task Force labourers are trying to clear the debris. Hundreds of loaded trucks and oil tankers are stranded on the either side of the damaged National Highway.

District officials said that as torrential rains continue to lash Manipur and other northeastern states, there may be more landslides along the highways.

Meghen Kongkham, a government official, told IANS that residential areas Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Wangkhei Angom Leikai, among others, have been under water for over one week.

"The government has done nothing to drain away the stagnant and running flood waters. No steps have been taken to check the outbreak of water borne diseases in these areas," a resident said.

The water levels of major rivers are running above the danger mark. Manipur has been experiencing heavy downpour for the last four days and all low lying areas are inundated as flood waters are flowing across state and national highways at several places.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh visited some of the flood affected areas in Imphal's east and west districts and assured that money would be given for the reconstruction of houses destroyed in the floods. He also promised relief material for the residents of relief camps.

Some relief camp residents said that no minister or official has visited them to inquire about their condition. "No relief materials have been given to us all these days," said Ibopishak Laishram, a resident of the camp.

The Centre is yet to send a team to assess the damages to declare the floods as state calamity.

All commodities which are brought from other states have become costlier while heavy demand items are in low supply as a result of landslides along the roads.

Biren said he is in talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the situation.

--IANS

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