How is Operation Jalrahat-2 Rescuing Flood-Hit People in Manipur?

Imphal, June 3 (NationPress) With relentless rains and flooding wreaking havoc in the Imphal valley and its neighboring regions, the Indian Army is leading the charge in relief and rescue operations under the ongoing humanitarian initiative ‘Operation Jal Rahat-2’, officials reported on Tuesday.

As per Manipur Disaster Management officials, the flood crisis intensified on Tuesday, affecting over 164,000 individuals and damaging 35,143 homes due to overflowing rivers that breached their banks following severe rainfall in the state.

The body of a 57-year-old man, who had been swept away by floodwaters earlier, was discovered in the Imphal West district on Tuesday.

Defence spokesperson Lt Col Amit Shukla stated that since May 31, the Army has been working diligently across various flood-impacted areas, providing essential aid to the residents of Manipur under very harsh conditions.

Lt Col Shukla mentioned that Army units have successfully evacuated over 1,560 individuals thus far under ‘Operation Jal Rahat-2’. Significant evacuations occurred in Wangkhei, where 584 people were rescued, and at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), where 569 individuals, including 15 medical patients requiring immediate assistance, were safely transported.

In Khitai Chingangbam Leikai, 110 individuals were moved to safety, while 115 were rescued from Laishram Leikai.

Rescue teams also saved 65 individuals from Lamlong and 75 from Heinjang, where operations involved navigating through difficult terrain and a rapid flood stream due to a breach in the bund of the Imphal river, he stated.

In a demonstration of their inclusive and compassionate approach, Army personnel also conducted special missions to rescue three differently-abled adults from various locations.

Equipped with rescue boats, medical teams, and vital relief supplies, Army troops have been working closely with the Assam Rifles, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration, according to the defence PRO.

Meanwhile, Prof. Kh. Lokeshwar Singh, Medical Superintendent of JNIMS, stated that due to the severe flooding caused by continuous rainfall and its detrimental effects on the JNIMS campus, including the disruption of essential services and potential safety risks, an emergency meeting led to the decision that the medical college hospital would temporarily close until further notice.

This decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of patients, healthcare staff, and hospital infrastructure, Singh noted in a notification, adding that emergency services, patient admissions, and all non-essential medical services will be suspended during this time.

Officials indicated that although the water levels in rivers across the Imphal valley have significantly decreased, multiple areas in the Imphal East district remain inundated on the fourth day of the crisis. Over 640 localities, primarily in Imphal East district, have been affected, with 82.79 hectares of agricultural land flooded.

Various agencies, including NDRF, have rescued over 3,920 flood-affected individuals, while the government has established 77 relief camps.

According to officials, 102 landslides have been reported across the state in the past four days.