IMPHAL, March 31 - Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh today chaired a Cabinet meeting on the flash flood situation following incessant rain since the last two and half days and decided to constitute an action committee to deal with the problem of flood in the State.
The steps have been taken after Manipur witnessed a record intense rainfall after a gap of 63 years, which cause widespread flooding in many low lying areas of Imphal, including the historic Shree Shree Govindajee Temple and roads leading to the world�s oldest polo ground here. Besides, many places under Singjamei, Keishamthong, Wangkhei, Yaiskul, Langthabal, Thangmeiband constituencies are also submerged. Thursday�s rain crossed 100 mm within 24 hours which is the highest since 1954, according to sources in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
State Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Letpao Haokip shall be the chairman of the committee, while the Chief Secretary shall be the convenor. Heads of departments of IFC, Public Health Engineering, Public Works, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, Minor Irrigation, Health, Secretary of Disaster Management and all Deputy Commissioners shall be members. The committee will monitor the flood situation and take actions for relief of the affected people.
A flood control room (telephone numbers 2451550 and 2450195) was opened at Khoyathong to receive complaints from the public.
Immediate measures, like pumping out water from inundated areas, clearing of drains and strengthening of river banks, are being taken up by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.
The Chief Minister instructed the Deputy Commissioners to visit the flood-affected areas and submit a report today. They have also been asked to set up relief camps in the worst affected areas.
