How Did Over 1300 People Get Rescued in Flood-Hit Manipur?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 1300 civilians rescued in flood operations.
- Coordination with civil authorities enhances rescue efforts.
- Emergency repairs to Iril River boundary wall undertaken.
- Essential supplies distributed to displaced families.
- Community efforts to reinforce river embankments ongoing.
Imphal, June 1 (NationPress) The Indian Army and Assam Rifles have been actively engaged in extensive flood rescue operations in Manipur, marking the second day of ‘Operation Jalrahat-2’ on Sunday. They have successfully rescued more than 1300 civilians, including vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, over the past two days, according to officials.
Defence spokesman Lt Col Amit Shukla reported that on Saturday alone, 800 individuals were brought to safety, while on Sunday, an additional 500 were evacuated from the worst-affected districts of Imphal East and Imphal West, including the capital city, Imphal.
On Sunday, troops conducted operations in severely waterlogged regions including Wangkhei, Heingang, Lamlong, Khurai, JNIMS, and Ahallup.
Lt Col Shukla stated that 10 flood relief columns, equipped with BAUTs and inflatable boats from the Army Engineers, were mobilized for these rescue efforts. Troops also performed emergency repairs on the breached boundary wall of the Iril River near Arapti Lamkhai in Lilong, Thoubal District, to mitigate further flooding.
At the government-operated Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and hospital, boats were utilized to transport stranded patients to safety. Additionally, approximately 800 bottles of drinking water and other essential supplies were distributed to displaced families across relief zones.
The Indian Army and Assam Rifles are maintaining close coordination with civil authorities to provide comprehensive support to affected communities, as confirmed by Lt Col Shukla.
A state disaster management official indicated that several rivers, including the Imphal and Iril, breached their embankments in at least five areas: Khurai, Heingang, Checkon, and Wangkhei, leading to significant inundation in parts of the state capital and its surroundings. The Nambul River in Imphal West also overflowed on Sunday, affecting Uripok and Samusang. In Nagaram, floodwaters began encroaching upon residential areas as rainfall persisted throughout the day.
Residents living along riverbanks are banding together to strengthen embankments and avert further breaches.
Over 720 residents have been successfully evacuated to safer locales, and authorities have reported 12 instances of landslides statewide, resulting in two injuries, while 64 domestic animals have succumbed due to the disaster.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force, police, fire services, and rescue boat teams are collaboratively executing rescue operations. Helicopters and boats are being deployed to reach isolated and flooded areas, as reported by officials.