Amidst heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Remal, flash floods have engulfed vast stretches of low-lying areas in the Imphal valley, with a bridge linking Vakho village and Karong in Senapati district being swept away.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Remal, Manipur experienced heavy rains and strong winds, leading to significant flooding in low-lying regions of the Imphal valley. By Tuesday evening, the situation began to deteriorate as water levels in the Nambul and Imphal rivers surpassed the danger mark. The flood control room confirmed that both rivers had reached critical levels, resulting in river water entering homes and inundating streets in some low-lying parts of Imphal.
Moreover, the heavy rains led to the collapse of a bridge connecting Vakho village and Karong in the Senapati district. Authorities, in an attempt to mitigate further risks, announced the closure of the Awang Sekmai Bridge over the Sekmai River on the Awang Sekmai-Leikinthabi road and the Hangelthong Bridge over the Imphal River at Maibakhul until further notice.
In response to the continuous heavy rainfall, the state government issued an advisory. Considering the extensive damage and disruptions caused by the rain and floods, all schools in the state that are not already on summer vacation have been instructed to close from May 29 to May 31, 2024. During this period, all school activities, including the admission process, are to be suspended.
The Department of Education-Schools, Manipur, directed all Zonal Education Officers and District Inspectors of Schools (Independent Charges) to inform all concerned parties within their jurisdiction and take necessary actions. Concurrently, the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) ordered all its officials to remain vigilant and stationed at their respective offices due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions expected to persist for several more days.
MSPDCL emphasized that in the event of any emergencies arising from the current severe weather conditions, immediate measures should be coordinated with the relevant officers and officials within their jurisdiction. Division and sub-divisional officers have been advised to take all necessary precautions to ensure safety while implementing these measures. They are required to submit reports on actions taken during such emergencies to the concerned general manager at the Corporate Office, MSPDCL, as soon as possible. The directive, signed by H Shantikumar Singh, Managing Director of MSPDCL, underscored the importance and urgency of these measures.
