Army rescues over 1,000 flood-hit people in Manipur; more than 5 lakh still affected in Assam

Guwahati: The Army and Assam Rifles personnel, who were deployed to tackle the Meitei-Kuki conflict in Manipur since May 2023, rescued over 1,000 flood-hit people as the Meitei-dominated Imphal East and Imphal West districts grappled with serious flood situation on Monday.

Army columns reached out to the affected people as many areas in Imphal East remained inundated due to water gushing in from the Imphal river following a breach in an embankment. The breach occurred following heavy rains since Saturday.

A flood bulletin issued by the state administration on Monday evening said more than 56,000 people remained affected in at least 174 villages. One flood affected person was missing, it said. Those who took shelter in relief camps due to the conflict, were among the worst sufferers, officials said. Landslides were reported in at least 93 places but no casualties were reported so far.

Manipur has remained under President's Rule since February, due to the resignation of N. Biren Singh as CM owing to the conflict.

Army personnel rescuing flood-hit people in Manipur capital Imphal on Monday.

Assam remains on edge

The flood situation in Assam turned grim on Monday with the number of affected people crossing five lakh in 22 districts. The number was 3.64 lakh on Sunday. One fresh death was reported in Hojai district, taking the toll in floods and landslides to 11.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday visited Lakhimpur in North Assam, where several villages were severely affected due to release of water by the North East Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) from a hydel power project on the Ranganadi river, on Saturday. Sarma, who held a meeting with NEEPCO officials, questioned the way water was released from the dam and later said that an inquiry would be carried out to identify the lapses, if any.

The daily flood bulletin issued by Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Monday evening said 3,64 lakh people remained affected in 17 districts.

Chief Minister of Assam and Meghalaya later met in Guwahati on Monday and discussed about the ways to mitigate floods.

Heavy rains since May 30 across the Northeast resulted in floods and landslides, leading to death of at least 32 persons.

Manipur:

• People affected: 56,516

• Missing: 01

• Houses damaged: 10,477

• Number of relief camps: 57

• Crop area affected: 64.31 hectares

Assam:

• People affected: 5.15 lakh 

• Deaths in flood and landslides: 11

• Number of relief camps: 322

• Crop area damaged: 12,610 hectares